Windshield clean system

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device for a surface, such as a windshield of a vehicle, includes an active positioning system and a cleaning head. The active positioning system is configured to deploy from a storage position hidden from view within a covered storage space and to position the cleaning head upon the windshield. The active positioning system includes a first extension member and a second extension member that move relative to one another to position the cleaning head, and also move the cleaning head across the windshield along a path. The cleaning head can have a brush portion configured to agitate debris from the window, and a drying portion configured to dry the window after cleaning. The cleaning device can be controlled via a touch-screen display in the vehicle, enabling a user to direct that specific portions of the windshield be cleaned as desired.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. Ser. No.17/664,627, filed on May 23, 2022, which claims the benefits of U.S.Ser. No. 63/363,238, filed on Apr. 19, 2022 and is a continuation inpart application of U.S. Ser. No. 16/702,135, filed on Dec. 3, 2019,which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/394,416, filed on Apr. 25, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,538,221, whichis a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/009,891, filed on Jun. 15, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,293,790, whichis a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/921,551, filed on Mar. 14, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,029,653, whichis a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/782,766, filed on Oct. 12, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,963,118, whichis a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/433,843, filed on Feb. 15, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,815,435, whichis a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/199,659, filed on Jun. 30, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,707,935, theentire contents of which are all expressly incorporated herein byreference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The various embodiments and features described herein relate to awindshield clean system of an automobile which includes at leastpassenger vehicles, trucks, busses, recreational vehicles and motorhomes. It also includes a method and an apparatus that is affixed to amotor vehicle for washing the front windshield of a large motor vehiclesuch as a bus or recreational vehicle (RV).

Vehicles with large windshields, such as most new electric automobiles,busses and RV's have windshield wipers to clear enough of the windshieldfor drivers to operate the vehicles. But such large windshields havesubstantial areas not cleared by conventional windshield wipers thatrotate about fixed pivots. Because passengers look out the frontwindshield, any dirt on the windshield that obscures viewing isundesirable. There is thus a need for an improved method and apparatusto clean more of the area of large windshields than occurs withconventional rotating windshield wipers.

Because large windshields on such vehicles as most new electricautomobiles, busses and RV's are more vertical than other motorvehicles, the insects and debris that hit the windshield impact withgreater force and that can sometimes make the residual debris stick tothe windshield with greater force than if the windshield were inclined.Also, if the residual debris dries the debris may be difficult to removeusing the windshield wipers and washer fluid provided with conventionalmotor vehicles. Moreover, the windshield wipers provide a wiping actionby a rubber blade which is not an efficient cleaning device forhardened-on debris. Further, any debris located outside the area reachedby the windshield wipers will remain and obstruct viewing through thewindshield. There is thus a need for an improved method and apparatus toclean large windshields.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Multiple embodiments of a windshield clean system for a surface withfurther embodiments of cleaning systems also disclosed.

In accordance with one embodiment, a method of cleaning a window of anautomobile is provided. The method includes opening a cover to expose astorage cavity defined in or on the automobile and deploying a cleaningdevice from the storage cavity. The cleaning device can comprise anactive positioning system supporting a cleaning head. The activepositioning system can comprise a first extension member supported by abase, a second extension member supported by and movable relative to thefirst extension member, and a head joint supported by the secondextension member and supporting the cleaning head. The method furtherincludes moving the first extension member and second extension memberrelative to one another so as to place the cleaning head against asurface of a window at a start position, activating a motorized brush ofthe cleaning head to agitate against the surface of the window, movingthe first extension member and second extension member relative to oneanother so as to move the motorized brush from the start position overthe surface of the window along a first path while the motorized brushis activated, moving the first extension member and second extensionmember relative to one another so as to move the cleaning head back tothe start position, and moving the cleaning head relative to the secondextension member so as to place a wiper blade of the cleaning headagainst the surface of the window at the start position, and furtherincludes moving the first extension member and second extension memberrelative to one another so as to move the wiper blade from the startposition over the surface of the window along the first path whilemoving the cleaning head relative to the second extension member so asto maintain the wiper blade at a desired orientation relative to thefirst path.

The desired orientation of the wiper blade can be generallyperpendicular to the first path.

The second extension member can articulate relative to the firstextension member, and can additionally comprise rotating the firstextension member about its axis so as to press the cleaning head againstthe window.

The second extension member can be configured to telescope relative tothe first extension member so as to adjust an overall length of theactive positioning system. The base can be configured to rotate about anaxis generally perpendicular to an axis of the first extension member.

At least one of the first extension member and second extension membercan comprise telescoping portions, and the method can further includemoving the telescoping portions to adjust a length of the correspondingone of the first extension member and second extension member.

The method can also include moving the base linearly along an elongatedtrack while moving the first extension member relative to the secondextension member. In some variations the track can remain within thestorage cavity when the first extension member, second extension member,and cleaning head are deployed out of the storage cavity. Also, opposingends of the track can be mounted on structural members of theautomobile. The track can extend along substantially an entire width ofthe window, or can extend only about halfway or less of a width of thewindow.

In further variations, the storage cavity can be enclosed within acasing defined by opposing end walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a backwall and the cover, and opposing ends of the track can be mounted to theopposing end walls. The casing can be removably attached to theautomobile.

The method can additionally comprise moving the first extension member,second extension member, base and head joint relative to one another soas to return the cleaning device to be fully contained within thestorage cavity, and closing the cover. In some variations, the storagecavity can be defined below the hood of the automobile, and the covercan sit flush with the hood when the cover is closed. The cover hingecan be disposed on a side of the cover opposite the windshield, andopening the cover can comprise rotating the cover about the cover hingeno more than about 75 degrees.

The window can be a windshield of the automobile. The method can includea camera within the automobile capturing an image of the windshieldshowing debris on the windshield, displaying the image on a touch-screendisplay within the automobile cabin, a computer mapping locations on thetouch-screen display to locations on a windshield of the automobile,receiving a selected location input via the touch-screen display andcorrelating the selected location input to a selected windshieldlocation. The method can further include defining the start point spacedfrom the selected windshield location but with the selected windshieldlocation disposed within the first path.

An automobile having a windshield cleaning system is disclosed. Theautomobile may comprise a plurality of wheels; an engine connected tothe plurality of wheels for propelling the automobile forward; asteering wheel connected to at least one of the at least two wheels forguiding a direction of the automobile; a windshield for protecting adriver of the automobile from projectiles; and the windshield cleaningsystem.

In another embodiment, the windshield cleaning system has a cleaninghead that can reach the entire surface area of the surface, such as awindshield, to clean the entire surface or may be operated to spot cleana localized area of the surface, as needed. The cleaning head of thecleaning system may be operated with two extension members rotatableabout articulating joints or a gantry system wherein a horizontal memberrides within tracks up and down the windshield and the cleaning headmoves left and right on the horizontal member.

Such a windshield cleaning system may be positioned outside of theautomobile below the windshield. The windshield cleaning system may havea cleaning head for washing dirt off of the windshield. The head may beconnected to the automobile with first and second extension membersconnected to each other with an articulating joint so that the head maybe positioned at a location within a primary field of view of thewindshield. The first extension member may be connected to the head. Thesecond extension member may be pivotally connected to the firstextension member. The second extension member may be pivotally connectedto the automobile.

The head of the windshield cleaning system may have a brush.

The head of the windshield cleaning system may have a vibration unit forvibrating the head while cleaning dirt off-of the windshield.

The head or the first extension member of the windshield cleaning systemmay have a spray nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid on the windshield.

The windshield cleaning system of the automobile may further have acomputer mounted to the automobile for controlling the head.

The windshield cleaning system of the automobile may further have amotor for controlling the first and second extension members and theposition of the head on the windshield.

The windshield cleaning system of the automobile may further comprise atube for routing cleaning fluid toward the cleaning head and beingfluidically connected to a spray nozzle disposed on or adjacent to thecleaning head.

The automobile may further comprise a touch screen displaying a visualdepiction of the windshield and the touch screen being connected to acomputer which controls positioning of the head.

In another aspect, a method of cleaning a dirty spot on a surface, suchas a windshield of an automobile, is disclosed. The method may comprisethe steps of receiving a location to be cleaned from a touch screen;activating a motor to traverse a cleaning head to a correspondinglocation on the surface and traverse back and forth over thecorresponding location on the surface; and activating a pump to spraycleaning fluid out of a spray nozzle onto the corresponding location onthe surface;

The method may further comprise the step of activating a vibration unitattached to the cleaning head.

The method may further comprise the step of rotating brushes of thecleaning head to clean the corresponding location on the windshield ofthe automobile.

A cleaning device is provided for a motor vehicle with tracks above andbelow the vehicle's windshield. A brush, wiper blade and spray barextend across the windshield at a starting side of the windshield. Thespray bar provides washer fluid to the brush as it rotates against thewindshield. The spray bar, brush and wiper bar move along the tracksacross the windshield to an opposing, return side of the windshieldwhere the wiper blade first contacts the windshield and the brush stopsrotating and moves away from the windshield. The spray bar rotates nextto the wiper blade to blow air against the windshield. The wiper bladescrapes water while air blows water off the windshield as they move backto the starting side of the windshield where they move into a framealong the starting side of the windshield and are covered when not inuse.

A cleaning system is provided that is retained in a frame that encirclesthe outer periphery of a motor vehicle's windshield and that houses andguides a cleaning mechanism as it moves across the windshield from sideto side so as to clean a larger portion of the windshield than rotatingwipers. The frame has a generally horizontal top and bottom, joined bygenerally vertical start and return sides, with a staring door andreturn door on the respective start and return sides. The cleaningsystem has a rotatable brush, a wiper blade and a spray bar (with spraynozzles along its length) are contained in the starting side frame sothose parts can extend between the top and bottom of the windshield asthey move from a starting side of the windshield to the opposing, returnside of the windshield. The brush, wiper blade and spray bar may beconcealed in the starting side frame by the starting door when not inuse. A lower track within the bottom frame extends along the bottom ofthe windshield with an upper track, within the top frame, extendingalong the top portion of the windshield. The tracks are generallyhorizontal but may bow or curve with the curvature of the windshield.The brush and wiper blade extend between upper and lower carriers thatare connected to and move along the upper and lower tracks,respectively, with the carriers preferably covered by the starting doorwhen the system is not in use.

A first drive mechanism moves the brush, wiper blade and spray bar onthe tracks across the windshield and back, from the starting side to thereturn side and back to the starting side. A second drive mechanismrotates the brush as it moves across the windshield from the startingside to the return side to clean debris from the windshield, with thebrush preferably not rotating as it moves from the return side to thestarting side. The spray bar has a first fluid channel in fluidcommunication with a pump and a washer fluid reservoir and has a secondfluid channel in fluid communication with an air reservoir and an aircompressor. When the storage door opens, the spray bar rotates to aposition near the brush and windshield and between the brush and thereturn side, with the pump actuated to spray water through the firstfluid channel and first spray nozzles onto the windshield as the brushis rotated and moved from the storage side to the return side.

As the spray bar reaches the return side and the return door a rotatingmechanism rotates the spray bar about half a rotation so it is adjacentthe windshield near the wiper blade and between the wiper blade and thestarting side. During that rotation the flow of washer fluid through thefirst channel and first spray nozzles stops, and flow of air through thesecond flow channel and second spray nozzles begins, with the spray barspraying air against the washed surface adjacent the wiper blade andpreferably forming one or two blades of air directing the wash fluidtoward the top and/or bottom of the windshield. As the spray bar rotatesfrom the return side to the starting side of the brush and the flow ofwasher fluid stops, the rotation of the brush continues so thatcentrifugal force throws water off the brush. Also, as the spray barrotates from the return side to the starting side of the brush, arotating mechanism rotates the brush out of contact with the windshieldand rotates the wiper blade into contact with the windshield.

As the first drive mechanism moves the cleaning mechanism from thereturn side to the starting side, the air from the second channel of thespray bar blows water and debris off the windshield and the wiper bladeacts like a squeegee to wipe water from the windshield. When the spraybar reaches the starting side and the starting frame, it rotates to agenerally vertical storage position as the wiper blade and brush enterthe left side of the frame and the flow of air through the secondchannel is shut off. When the brush is within the starting side frame,the starting side door and return side doors close.

In more detail a cleaning apparatus is provided for a motor vehiclewindshield having a starting side and opposing return side, a top andbottom side. The cleaning apparatus may include a rotatable brush, awiper blade and a spray bar each extending between the top and bottomsides of the windshield. The spray bar has first and second fluidchannels each of which has respective first and second spray nozzlesextending along a length of the respective first and second fluidchannels. The spray bar has first and second use positions and a storageposition. The first use position has the first spray nozzles adjacentthe windshield and located between the brush and the return side. Thesecond use position has the second spray nozzles adjacent the windshieldand located between the wiper blade and the starting side. The apparatusmay also include a fluid pump in fluid communication with the firstfluid channel and a container of washer fluid to pump washer fluidthrough the first fluid channel and first spray nozzles at a firstpressure. An air compressor may be in fluid communication with thesecond fluid channel and second spray nozzles and an air storagecontainer to provide air to the second fluid channel and second spraynozzles at a second pressure. The apparatus may have a bottom trackextending along the bottom of the windshield and a top track extendingalong a top of the windshield, with a bottom carrier moving along thebottom track and connected to the brush, wiper blade and spray bar and atop carrier moving along the top track and connected to the brush, wiperblade and spray bar. A drive mechanism may be connected to at least oneof the top and bottom carriers to move the at least one of the top andbottom carriers across the windshield and back.

In further variations, the cleaning apparatus may further include aframe encircling the windshield, including such components such as a topframe containing the top track and a bottom frame containing the toptrack. A starting frame may be placed along the starting side of thewindshield, with the starting frame extending between the top and bottomframes and containing the wiper blade, spray bar, brush and associatedcarrier or carriers when they not in use. A return frame may be placedopposite the starting frame and advantageously extends between the topand bottom frames at the return side of the windshield. Advantageously,a starting door releasably covers the starting frame, wiper blade, spraybar and brush and a return door releasably covers the return frame.

There is also provided a method of cleaning the outer surface of a motorvehicle windshield having a starting side and opposing return side. Themethod comprises the steps rotating a spray bar to a first positionbetween a brush and the return side of the windshield and adjacent thewindshield. The brush and spray bar each extend from a top to a bottomof the windshield. The spray bar has first and second fluid channelswith a plurality of first spray nozzles in fluid communication with thefirst fluid channel and a plurality of second spray nozzles in fluidcommunication with the second flow channel. The method may includerotating the brush while it is in contact with the outer surface of thewindshield to clean the windshield while flowing a washing fluid throughthe first channel and first plurality of spray nozzles at a pressuresufficient to spray the washing fluid through the plurality of firstspray nozzles to the windshield at a location between the rotating brushand the return side of the windshield. The method advantageously movesthat rotating brush and spray bar from the start side to the finish sideof the windshield while maintaining the rotating brush in contact withthe outer surface of the windshield to clean the windshield. The methodmay further move a wiper blade from the start side to the finish side ofthe windshield while the wiper blade extends between the top and bottomof the windshield but is not in contact with the windshield. The methodadvantageously stops the flow of washing fluid through the first channeland first plurality of spray nozzles when the spray bar is at the returnside of the windshield. The method may include rotating the spray bay toa second position with the second plurality of spray nozzles adjacentthe windshield and between the start side of the windshield and thewiper blade. The wiper is placed in contact with the windshield,rotation of the brush is stopped and air is flowed through the secondchannel and second plurality of spray nozzles at a pressure sufficientto deflect water away from the wiper blade. The method advantageouslymoves the wiper blade, spray bar and brush from the return side to thestarting side with the wiper blade in contact with the windshield andthe brush not in contact with the windshield.

In further variations, the method may include placing the covering thewiper blade, brush and spray bar in a starting side frame extendingalong the starting side of the windshield and placing a removable coverover that starting side frame. The flow of washing fluid may be stoppedbefore the spray bar is rotated to the second position Likewise, therotation of the brush may stop before the spray bar is rotated to thesecond position, or after. The flow of washing fluid through the firstchannel is advantageously at a pressure sufficient to create a spraythrough the first plurality of spray nozzles. The flow of air throughthe second channel may be provided by air from a storage container, byair from a compressor, or both. The step of moving the rotating brushand spray bar from the start side to the finish side of the windshieldmay comprise connecting a first end of the brush and wiper blade to acarrier block connected to a track extending along one of the top orbottom of the windshield and moving the carrier block along that track.

There is also provided an apparatus for cleaning windshields of a motorvehicle where the windshield has an opposing top and bottom joined by anopposing starting side opposite a return side. The apparatus is enclosedin a frame that is advantageously a generally rectangular frameconfigured to fit around the outside of the motor vehicle windshield.The frame may have opposing top and bottom frames, and a starting sideframe opposite a return side frame. Each frame has opposing sides joinedto a bottom. The starting side frame advantageously has a cover whichmay be opened and closed. The apparatus advantageously has a top trackinside and connected to the top frame and extending across at least asubstantial length of the top of the windshield. A top carrier isconnected to and movable along that top track. Likewise, a bottom trackis inside and connected to the bottom frame and extends across at leasta substantial length of a bottom of the windshield. A bottom carrier isconnected to and movable along that bottom track. A rotatable brush hasopposing top and bottom ends with the top brush end connected to the topcarrier and the bottom brush end connected to the bottom carrier. Awiper blade has opposing top and bottom ends with the top blade endconnected to the top carrier and the bottom blade end connected to thebottom carrier. A spray bar has opposing top and bottom spray bar endswith the top spray bar end rotatably connected to the top carrier andthe bottom spray bar end rotatably connected to the bottom carrier. Thespray bar preferably has a first fluid channel in fluid communicationwith a first plurality of spray nozzles extending along a first side ofthe spray bar and a second plurality of spray nozzles in fluidcommunication with a second plurality of spray nozzles extending along asecond side of the spray bar and orientated in a direction substantiallyopposite the first plurality of spray nozzles. The top and bottomcarriers, rotatable brush, wiper blade and spray bar fit within thestarting side frame when the starting side frame cover is closed toenclose the top and bottom carriers, rotatable brush, wiper blade andspray bar.

In further variations, the cleaning apparatus may further include a pumpin fluid communication with the first fluid channel of the spray bar anda source of washer fluid. The apparatus also advantageously includes atleast one of a compressor or an air storage container in fluidcommunication with the second fluid channel of the spray bar. The topand bottom tracks are advantageously slightly curved so the opposingends of the top and bottom tracks are offset from a middle of therespective track to conform to a curvature of the adjacent portion ofthe windshield. Advantageously, the spray bar is configured to rotatebetween a first and second position where the first position has thefirst plurality of spray nozzles adjacent the windshield and locatedbetween the brush and the return side of the windshield, and where thesecond position has the second plurality of spray nozzles adjacent thewindshield and located between the wiper blade and the starting side ofthe windshield.

In further variations, the cleaning apparatus could include a cleaningtool housing that is sized and disposed to house a set or subset ofcleaning tools, such as a rotatable brush, wiper blade, spray bar, andsplashguard, within the housing. Each of the cleaning tools preferablyhave a length that extends between two opposing sides of the surface,such as the top and bottom of the surface. The length of each cleaningtool preferably extends across a majority of the surface, for example80%, 90% or even more than 99% of the surface length. An engagementdrive mechanism could be configured to mechanically move the rotatablebrush, wiper blade, and spray bar from a disengaged position within thehousing to an engaged position outside the housing. A closing drivemechanism could be configured to mechanically open and close a door thatcovers a portion of a cavity of the housing. A movement drive mechanismcould be configured to mechanically move the rotatable brush, wiperblade, and spray bar across the surface to clean the surface. A brushingdrive mechanism could be configured to mechanically rotate the rotatablebrush as the rotatable brush is moved from one side to another side ofthe surface. Preferably, the brushing drive mechanism mechanicallyrotates the rotatable brush in opposing directions.

Generally, each of the set of cleaning tools are moved from a disengagedposition within the housing to an engaged position outside the housing,and are preferably moved as a single unit, to ready the cleaning toolfor use. From the engaged position, the cleaning tool could then beactivated to perform a cleaning step. For example the spray bar couldspray a liquid at the surface to moisten the surface, the rotatablebrush could rotate against the surface to scrub the surface, a tip ofthe wiper blade could abut the surface to dry the surface, and the spraybar could spray air at the surface to dry the surface. Generally, thespray bar first sprays a liquid, such as washer fluid, at the surfaceand the rotatable brush rotates against the surface as the movementdrive moves the rotatable brush and spray bar across the surface toscrub the surface, and then a tip of the wiper blade touches the surfaceas the movement drive moves the rotatable brush and spray bar across thesurface to dry the surface.

In some embodiments, scrubbing could occur in one pass along thesurface, while drying occurs on an opposing pass along the surface,although multiple scrubbing passes and/or multiple drying passes couldoccur. Preferably, the rotatable brush is moved towards the surface andis rotated against the surface for scrubbing the surface, and is movedaway from the surface and is not rotating for drying the surface. Asplashguard could optionally be disposed on a side opposite the surfacerelative to a spraying nozzle of the spray bar, and is preferablydisposed to ricochet liquid towards the surface. The spray bar couldoptionally be configured to spray both liquid and air at the surface toboth moisten and dry the surface. In embodiments where the housing has adoor, the door could be opened before the cleaning tools are moved fromthe disengaged position to the engaged position, and closed after thecleaning tools are moved from the engaged position to the disengagedposition.

In some embodiments, each of a set of cleaning tools are coupled todiscrete arms of the movement drive mechanism such that the movementdrive mechanism can move the rotatable brush, wiper blade, and spray barindependently from one another, although in preferred embodiments atleast one set of cleaning tools is mounted to a single cleaning tool armto simplify the complexity of the movement drive mechanism. In someembodiments, a single housing could house a plurality of cleaning toolarms simultaneously, each of which is configured to clean discreteportions of a surface.

In some embodiments, the wiper blade is coupled to a side of the spraybar—preferably on a side of the spray bar opposing a set of sprayingnozzles of the spray bar. In such embodiments, a transitioning drivemechanism could be configured to rotate the spray bar from a sprayingposition to a wiping position, where the spraying position disposes anozzle of the spray bar closer to the surface than the wiper blade, andwhere the wiping position disposes the wiper blade closer to the surfacethan the nozzle of the spray bar. The transitioning drive mechanismcould rotate the spray bar from one side to an opposing side of theopposable brush to transition the spray bar between the sprayingposition and the wiping position. Preferably, the transitioning systemdisposes the spray bar in the spraying position as the movement drivemechanism moves the spray bar in one direction, and disposes the spraybar in the wiping position as the movement drive mechanism moves thespray bar in an opposing direction.

The tip of the wiper blade could be configured to touch the surface ofthe windshield at any suitable angle, for example perpendicular to thesurface, acute to the surface, or obtuse to the surface. In embodimentswhere the wiper blade is coupled to a side of the spray bar, the wiperblade could be configured to attach to the spray bar at a variety ofangles, or a plurality of interchangeably attachable wiper blades couldbe provided, having different angled tips could be provided for ease ofcustomization.

Any suitable surface is contemplated, such as a motor vehiclewindshield, a building window, or a table surface. The cleaning toolhousing is preferably coupled to a side of the surface to be cleaned forease of repeated deployment. In some embodiments, the major length ofthe cleaning tool could be oriented along a first axis when placed inthe disengaged position within the housing, and oriented along a secondaxis different from the first axis (e.g. at a 45-degree offset or at asubstantially perpendicular offset) when placed in the engaged positionoutside the housing. In this manner, the housing could be placed on anyside of a substantially rectangular surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent in light of the following discussion and drawings, inwhich like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile having a windshieldcleaning system depicting a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view the windshield cleaning system of the firstand a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a display of the windshield cleaning system

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the first embodiment of the windshieldcleaning system in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the first embodiment of the windshieldcleaning system in the deployed configuration with a cleaning head in adifferent position compared to that shown in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the first embodiment of the windshieldcleaning system in the deployed configuration with the cleaning head ina different position compared to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 ;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bug flying toward a windshield of an automobile;

FIG. 8 illustrates the bug leaving a residue on the windshield aftercontacting the windshield;

FIG. 9 illustrates the cleaning head of the first embodiment of thewindshield cleaning system positioned over the residue shown in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 illustrates cleaning fluid being sprayed on the residue via aspray nozzle mounted to the cleaning head;

FIG. 11 illustrates the cleaning head cleaning the residue off of thewindshield;

FIG. 12 illustrates the cleaning head wiping the residue off of thewindshield;

FIG. 13 illustrates the second embodiment of the windshield cleaningsystem;

FIG. 14 illustrates the cleaning head of the second embodiment of thewindshield touch and clean system as shown in FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of the display with icons for the windshieldcleaning system;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of the display with controls for a cruisecontrol feature;

FIG. 17 is an illustration of the display with additional controls forthe cruise control feature;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a carrier, brush and spray bar of acleaning apparatus placed on a windshield with a washing position shownin solid lines and a drying position sown in broken lines;

FIG. 19A is a top view of a frame enclosing an improved cleaningapparatus;

FIG. 19B is a bottom view of the frame of FIG. 19A;

FIG. 19C is a left-side view of the frame of FIG. 19A;

FIG. 20 is a left-side perspective view of a motor vehicle having theframe of FIG. 19A encircling the vehicle's windshield.

FIG. 21 is right-side perspective view of the windshield of FIG. 20 withcovers on the side frames in an open position;

FIG. 22 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 21 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed, the wiper blade not contactingthe windshield, a rotatable brush contacting the windshield, a spray baradjacent the brush and ready to start cleaning the windshield;

FIG. 23 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 21 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed, the wiper blade not contactingthe windshield, a rotating brush and a spray bar spraying water by thebrush as the cleaning apparatus moves away from the starting side of theframe and windshield toward a return side of the frame and windshield;

FIG. 24 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 23 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed, the rotating brush and spraybar approaching the return side of the frame and windshield;

FIG. 25 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 21 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed and with the spray bar over thereturn side cover of the frame and with the rotating brush at the returnside of the windshield;

FIG. 26 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 25 , withthe brush no longer rotating;

FIG. 27 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 21 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed, the brush not rotating and notcontacting the windshield, and the spray bar adjacent the wiper blade toblow air onto the windshield by the wiper blade which is against thewindshield, and ready to move from the return side of the windshield andreturn side frame toward the starting side of the windshield andstarting side frame;

FIG. 28 is a right-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 21 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed, the brush not rotating and notcontacting the windshield, the spray bar adjacent the wiper blade toblow air onto the windshield with the wiper blade which is against thewindshield and ready to move from the return side of the windshield andreturn side frame toward the starting side of the windshield andstarting side frame;

FIG. 29 is a left-side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 21 withthe top and bottom frame covers removed and the windshield now cleanedby the apparatus of FIG. 28 , the brush is not rotating, no air orwasher fluid is flowing and the apparatus is and ready for storage;

FIG. 30 is a left-side perspective view of the windshield of FIG. 20after cleaning as in FIGS. 21-29 , with the cleaning apparatus stored inthe starting side frame and the starting side frame cover closed; and

FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along sections 14-14 of FIG. 30 ,showing the cleaning apparatus in a stored position in the starting sideframe with the cover in a closed position.

FIG. 32 is a right-side perspective of a windshield having a cleaningapparatus enclosed within a housing.

FIG. 33 is a right-side perspective of windshield of FIG. 32 where thecleaning apparatus is moving from a disengaged position to an engagedposition.

FIG. 34 is a right-side perspective of windshield of FIG. 32 where thecleaning apparatus is in an engaged position to clean the windshield.

FIG. 35 is a right-side perspective of windshield of FIG. 32 having atranslucent splash shield.

FIG. 36 is a zoomed-in view of one of the cleaning tool arms of FIG. 35.

FIG. 37 is right side perspective of windshield of FIG. 35 with thebrushes rotating, the spray bar spraying liquid, and the arm drivemechanisms moving the cleaning tool arms across the surface of thewindshield.

FIG. 38A is a zoomed in view of one of the cleaning tool arms of FIG. 35, with the brush and the spray bar in use and the wiper blade not inuse.

FIG. 38B is a zoomed in view of the cleaning tool arm of FIG. 38A, withthe wiper blade in use and the brush and the spray bar not in use.

FIG. 39 is a left side perspective view of windshield of FIG. 35 withthe wiper blade contacting the windshield and the arm drive mechanismsmoving the cleaning tool arms across the surface of the windshield.

FIG. 40A is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool arm in a scrubbingposition.

FIG. 40B is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning tool arm of FIG. 40Ain a wiping position.

FIG. 40C is a cross-sectional view of a cleaning tool arm with analternative wiper blade.

FIG. 40D is a cross-sectional view of another cleaning tool arm with yetanother alternative wiper blade.

FIG. 41 is a front-side perspective view of a motor vehicle having analternative windshield cleaning system that is held within a closedstorage cavity when not deployed.

FIG. 42 shows the configuration of FIG. 41 with a cover of thewindshield cleaning system open.

FIG. 43 shows the configuration of FIG. 41 partially cut away and duringa cleaning cycle.

FIG. 44 shows the configuration of FIG. 41 during a drying cycle.

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a brush side of a cleaning head of thewindshield cleaner of FIG. 41 .

FIG. 46 is a perspective view a drying side of the cleaning head of thewindshield cleaner of FIG. 41 .

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a motor vehicle upon which aself-contained windshield cleaning system can be mounted.

FIG. 48 shows the motor vehicle of FIG. 47 with the self-containedwindshield cleaning system installed and deployed during operation.

FIG. 49 is a side view of a cleaning head for use with the windshieldcleaning system of FIG. 48 .

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 50-50 of FIG. 49 .

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of another motor vehicle having analternative windshield cleaning system, shown during a cleaning cycle.

FIG. 52 is a top, cutaway view of the configuration of FIG. 51 ,schematically showing structure of the windshield cleaning system.

FIG. 53 shows an example dashboard of the motor vehicle of FIG. 51 ,having a display configured to enable control of the windshield cleaningsystem.

FIG. 54 is a close-up view of the display of FIG. 53 during use during aspot-clean operation.

FIG. 55 shows the motor vehicle and windshield cleaning system of FIG.52 during a spot-clean operation.

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of another motor vehicle having analternative windshield cleaning system, shown during a cleaning cycle.

FIG. 57 is a top, cutaway view of the configuration of FIG. 56 ,schematically showing structure of the windshield cleaning system in astorage position.

FIG. 58 is a top, cutaway view of the configuration of FIG. 56 ,schematically showing structure of the windshield cleaning system in anoperating position.

FIG. 59 is a perspective view of another motor vehicle having analternative windshield cleaning system, shown during a cleaning cycle.

FIG. 60 is a top, cutaway view of the configuration of FIG. 56 ,schematically showing structure of the windshield cleaning system in anoperating position.

FIG. 61 is a top, cutaway view of the configuration of FIG. 56 ,schematically showing structure of the windshield cleaning system inanother operating position.

FIG. 62 is a schematic view of a cleaning head of the windshieldcleaning system of FIG. 59 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a windshield cleaning system 10 for spotcleaning a windshield 12 of an automobile 30 is shown. The windshieldcleaning system 10 includes a cleaning head 14 that can be traversed toany location on the windshield 12 by way of extension members 16, 18that are pivotally attached to each other by articulating joints 20, 22.The cleaning head 14 may be controlled by a computer 24 which receivesuser input by way of a display 26 located in a passenger cabin of theautomobile 30. A driver may touch the display 26 about where thewindshield 12 is dirty. The computer 24 receives information from thedisplay 26 which controls a motor 32 to actuate the cleaning head 14 tothe location indicated by the driver on the display. A pump 34 sprayscleaning fluid on the dirt to help break down the dirt so that the dirtcan be removed from the windshield 12. The motor 32 moves the cleaninghead 14 over the dirt and an optional vibration unit 36 can further beactivated to help remove the dirt from the windshield 12.

Referring now to the drawings, the automobile 30 may have the windshieldcleaning system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-11 or the windshield cleaning system10 a shown in FIGS. 12-13 or combinations thereof implemented in theautomobile 30 as shown in the figures. The automobile 30 shown in thefigures is that of a pickup truck. However, other automobiles includingbut not limited to sedans, sports cars, large-format trucks, etc. mayincorporate the windshield cleaning systems 10, 10 a described therein.

The windshield cleaning system 10 is hidden under a hood 38 of theautomobile when the windshield cleaning system 10 is not in use, asshown in FIG. 1 . The windshield cleaning system 10 includes thecleaning head 14, extension members 16, 18, motor 32 which drives theextension members 16, 18, the pump 34, the computer 24 and the display26.

To deploy the window washing system 10, the user may activate the systemfrom the display 26 shown in FIG. 3 . The display 26 may be mounted to adashboard 40 within a cabin 28 of the automobile 30. However, it is alsocontemplated that the display 26 may be mounted to other areas of thepassenger cabin such as the center console or driver-side armrest. Thedisplay 26 may be located centrally on the dashboard 40 so that the useror driver can easily access and manipulate the display 26. The display26 may be a touch sensitive screen as shown in FIG. 3 but may also be amouse driven display. If the display 26 is a mouse driven display, thenthe automobile 30 may have a joystick located on the dashboard, centerconsole or other area that the driver can manipulate so that a cursor onthe display 26 may be traversed to a proper location. An icon displayedon the display 26, may be selected by depressing a button on thejoystick or other area near the joystick. A spot on the display 26depicting the windshield 12 may also be selected by traversing thecursor shown on the display 26 with the joystick and depressing thebutton. Nevertheless, the preferred embodiments show the display 26 as atouch sensitive screen. The user can touch the screen with his or herfinger 42 in order to select the icon displayed on the display 26.

The display 26 illustrates the front windshield 12 of the automobile 30.Moreover, the display 26 also shows an option for a full wash 43. Bydepressing an area on the display 26 illustrated by the windshield 12with the finger 42, the windshield cleaning system 10 may be deployedand clean only a spot area or localized area on the windshield 12 asindicated by the area depressed by the finger 42 of the driver or user.Alternatively, if a full wash of the windshield 12 is desired, then theuser may depress the full wash icon 43 on the display 26. Depending onwhether the user depresses a localized area on the display 26 depictingthe windshield 12 or the full wash icon 43, the windshield cleaningsystem 10 may be deployed to wash the localized area or the entireviewing area of the front windshield.

If the driver depresses the full wash option 43 on the display 26, thewindshield cleaning system 10 begins to deploy as shown in FIG. 4 . Theextension members 16, 18 are raised out from under the hood 38. Theextension members 16, 18 are connected to each other by way of anarticulating joint 20 as shown in FIG. 5 . The extension member 18 isattached to the automobile 30 by way of a base member 44. The basemember a can also be traversed out from under the hood 38 as shown inFIG. 1 or traversed toward the windshield 12 as shown in FIG. 5 . Whenthe windshield cleaning system 10 is tucked under the hood 38, the basemember 44 is retracted under the hood 38. Also, the articulating joint20 allows the extension members 16, 18 to be folded or made parallelwith respect to each other. The extension members 16, 18 are then placedlaterally and tucked under the hood 38 as shown in FIG. 1 .

The articulating joints 20, 22 control movement of the extension member18 with respect to the base member 44, and the extension member 16 withrespect to the extension member 18. By having two extension members 16,18, the entire surface area of the windshield 12 may be cleaned by thecleaning head 14. A length 46 of the extension member 18 plus a length48 of the extension member 16 may be equal to or longer than a distance50 from the articulating joint 22 to either of an upper driver sidecorner 52 or a passenger side corner 54 of the windshield 12. In thismanner, when the extension members 16, 18 are linearly aligned (i.e.,straight) to each other, the cleaning head 14 can reach the full extentof the windshield 12 up to the passenger side corner 54 and the driverside corner 52 of the windshield 12.

The articulating joint 22 allows the extension member 18 to rotate atleast 180° (e.g. between 165° and 195°) so that the extension member 18can extend horizontally toward a driver side lower corner 56 and apassenger side lower corner 58. The articulating joint 20 allows theextension member 16 to rotate at least 275° and up to 360° so that theextension member 16 can be positioned parallel on either side of theextension member 18. The extension member 18 may rotate with respect tothe base member 44 and the extension member 16 may rotate with respectto the extension member 18 by way of chains and/or pulleys that aredriven by a motor located under the hood 38. Alternatively, thearticulating joints 20, 22 may have micro motors and gears that controlthe rotation of the respective extension members 16, 18 with respect toeach other in the extension member 18 with respect to the base member44.

When the user depresses the full wash option 44 on the display 26, theextension members 16, 18 are deployed out from under the hood 38. Theextension members 16, 18 position the cleaning head 14 about an area onthe windshield 12 to be cleaned. The cleaning head 14 cleans a smallportion of the windshield 12 before it moves on to the next area of thewindshield 12 to be washed. By way of example and not limitation, thewindshield 12 may be divided into sections 60 a-n. When the entirewindshield 12 is to be washed, the cleaning head 14 may be traversedover one of the sections 60 such as section 60 a. With the cleaning head14 over the section 60 a of the windshield 12, cleaning fluid may besquirted out of the cleaning head 14 on the windshield 12 at section 60a.

The cleaning head 14 may have a vibration unit that vibrates bristles 62of the cleaning head 14 so that dirt and grime can be more effectivelyrubbed off of the windshield 12. As the bristles clean the windshield 12at section 60 a, the cleaning fluid drips down onto a lower section ofthe windshield 12. Even though the cleaning fluid drips down onto thelower section of the windshield 12, the cleaning head 14 will eventuallyclean that area too as the cleaning head 14 laterally cleans eachsection laterally from top to bottom.

The cleaning head 14 may also be paired with a rubber blade or wiper 64.In particular, the rubber wiper 64 is located under the extension member16. The rubber wiper 64 has a generally pointed tip which contacts thewindshield and is flexible so that the rubber wiper 64 can extend acrossa portion of section 60 that has been washed clean by the bristles 62 ofthe cleaning head 14 to wipe the section 60 dry by pushing the cleaningfluid to the side or downward. Alternatively, the cleaning head 14 canclean two or more sections first then the rubber wiper 64 can wipe drytwo or more sections 60 at the same time. The cleaning head cleans theupper row of sections 60 a, b, c-n first. Thereafter, the cleaning head14 cleans the next lower row of sections 60 by following the proceduresdiscussed above. It is also contemplated that the cleaning head 14 mayclean all of the sections 60 of the windshield 12 first before therubber wiper 64 wipes the windshield 12 dry.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-12 , the windshield cleaning system 10 may havea spot clean feature. In this regard, the system 10 may clean a spot ofdirt and grime on the windshield 12. In particular, when the automobile30 is being driven, a bug 66 may approach the windshield 12. The bug maybe killed by hitting the windshield 12, as shown in FIG. 8 and die butleave a residue 68 on the windshield 12. When the driver is driving theautomobile 30, the residue 68 may visually impair the driver's visionthrough the windshield 12 and at the very least irritate the driversince the windshield 12 is not clean. To clean the windshield, thedriver may be presented with an illustration of the windshield 12 on thedisplay 26. The driver can depress the display 26 at about the locationwhere the residue 68 is on the windshield 12. By depressing an area onthe display 26 depicting the windshield 12, this may actuate theextension members 16, 18 and the base member 44 to move into thedeployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the extensionmembers 16, 18 and the base member 44 move out from under the hood 38and position the cleaning head 14 at the corresponding location on thewindshield 12 where the user depressed the display 26, as shown in FIG.9 . When the cleaning head 14 is disposed over the residue 68, thecleaning head, which also has a spray nozzle 37, sprays cleaning fluid70 on the residue 68. The cleaning head 14 is shown as being liftedabove the residue 68, but this is merely for the purposes ofclarification. The cleaning head 14 extends immediately above theresidue 68 so that the bristles 62 contact the windshield 12. The spraynozzle for the cleaning fluid is located under the cleaning head 14 orwithin the outer perimeter defined by the bristles 62. A tube is routedthrough the extension members 16, 18 to supply the cleaning fluid to thespray nozzle.

With the cleaning head 14 disposed adjacent or on top of the residue 68,the cleaning head 14 can be traversed back and forth over the residue 68with the motor 32 controlling the motions of the extension members 16,18 or microcontroller in the articulating joints 20, 22. As the cleaninghead 14 moves back-and-forth as shown in FIG. 12 , the residue 68 iscleaned off of the windshield 12. The cleaning head 14 may be traversedback and forth but may also have other motions such a circular or ovalin order to clean the residue 68 off of the windshield 12. To furtherfacilitate cleaning of the residue 68 off of the windshield 12, thecleaning head 14 may also have a vibration unit 72 as shown in FIG. 12 .The vibration unit 72 may always be on if the cleaning head 14 is in thedeployed position. Alternatively, the vibration unit 72 may be on onlyif the user depresses the vibration option from the cabin and moreparticularly by depressing a vibration option icon 74 on the display 26.

The cleaning head 14 may have a plurality of bristles 62 that are formedin a round configuration. The bristles 62 may extend across the entirearea defined by the outer perimeter of the bristles 62 as shown in thedrawing. Alternatively, a central portion of the bristles 62 may be lessdense or empty so that a spray head can protrude and spray cleaningfluid on to the windshield 12. Although the bristles 62 are shown in around configuration, other shapes and configurations are alsocontemplated. By way of example and not limitation, the bristles 62 maybe formed into a triangular or rectangular or square configuration. Thebristles may be fabricated from a soft yet rigid material so that thedistal ends of the bristles 62 may apply friction to the residue 68 torub the residue 68 off of the windshield 12. The bristles mayadditionally be softer than the windshield 12 so that repeated cleaningof the windshield 12 by the cleaning head 14 does not scratch thewindshield 12. By way of example and not limitation, the bristles 62 maybe fabricated from a polyethylene material.

The bristles 62 are shown as being stationary or fixed to the cleaninghead 14. However, it is also contemplated that the bristles 62 mayrotate in a clockwise direction, counterclockwise direction or alternatebetween clockwise and counterclockwise directions. A motor may bemounted within the cleaning head 14 to accomplish the rotationalmovement of the bristles 62. Electrical wiring may be routed to thecleaning head 14 through the extension members 16, 18 to the computer24.

The vibration unit 72 may be mounted within the cleaning head 14 but mayalso be mounted near the cleaning head 14 on the extension member 16.Regardless of where the vibration unit 72 is located, the vibration unit72 is operative to vibrate the bristles 62 to increase the cleaningaction of the bristles 62 on the residue 68. The vibration unit 72, asdiscussed above, may have multiple modes of operation. In a first modeof operation, the vibration unit 72 may be activated and turned on onlywhen the windshield wiper system 10 is in the deployed configuration,namely, when the cleaning head 14 is extended out from under the hood 38and over the windshield 12. In a second mode of operation, the vibrationunit 72 may be activated and turned on only after a spray nozzle locatedon the cleaning head 14 squirts cleaning fluid on to the windshield 12.In a third mode of operation, the vibration unit 72 may be activated andturned on only upon depression of the vibration icon 74 on the display26. In this matter, the driver or user can dictate when the vibrationunit 72 is turned on and activated.

The rubber wiper 64 may be disposed immediately under the extensionmember 16, as shown in FIG. 9 . The rubber wiper 64 may extend downwardfrom the extension member 16 and be positioned so that a central planethat bisects the rubber wiper 64 is generally perpendicular to thewindshield wiper 12. The rubber wiper 64 may be generally flexible sothat as the rubber wiper 64 squeegees the residue 68 and the cleaningfluid off of the windshield 12, the rubber wiper 64 may bend in anopposite direction compared to the direction of travel of the rubberwiper 64. A length 76 of the rubber wiper 64 may be about 4 to 6 inchesand up to 18 inches long. The rubber wiper 64 is operative to wipe theresidue 68 and the cleaning fluid off of the windshield 12 by causingthe rubber wiper 64 to be traversed over the windshield 12 in a sweepingmotion similar to a squeegee.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14 , a second embodiment of the windshieldcleaning system 10 a is shown. Instead of the cleaning head 14 a beingcontrolled by two extension members 16, 18, the cleaning head 14 a iscontrolled by an X-Y gantry system. The left and right sides of thewindshield 12 may have left and right tracks. These tracks 76, 78receive a horizontal member 80, and more particularly, opposed endportions of the horizontal member 80. The tracks are operative to liftthe horizontal member 80 up and down the tracks 76, 78 on the windshield12. By way of example and not limitation, the left and right tracks 76,78 may be retrofitted with a linear micro motor that lifts thehorizontal member 80 up and down the tracks 76, 80. When the windshieldwiper system 10 a is traversed to a stored position, the tracks extenddownward below the hood 38 so that the horizontal member 80 and thecleaning head 14 a can be tucked under the hood and out of sight.

If the left and right tracks 76, 78 are parallel to each other, then thehorizontal member may have a fixed width 82. However, if the left andright tracks 76, 78 are skewed with respect to each other. For example,the upper side of the tracks 76, 78 are closer to each other or have asmaller width 82 compared to a lower side of the tracks 76, 78. In thiscase, the horizontal member 80 may have an adjustable width 82. Theadjustment in the width 82 of the horizontal member 80 may come in theform of a telescoping rod on the passenger side of the horizontal member80. It is also contemplated that the telescoping feature of thehorizontal member 80 may be formed on the driver side of the horizontalmember 80. The cleaning head 14 a may be traversed left and right alongthe horizontal member 80 so that the cleaning head 14 a can reach theentire surface area of the windshield 12 for cleaning.

The windshield cleaning system 10 a may operate in the same fashion asthat of the windshield cleaning system 10 except that the cleaning head14 a is traversed over the windshield 10 with the gantry system insteadof two extension members 16, 18 connected with articulating joints 20,22. Moreover, the rubber wiper 64 a has an arrow configuration comparedto the straight linear configuration shown in respect to the windshieldcleaning system 10. The rubber wiper 64 a is also disposed above thebristles 62 a of the cleaning head 14 a. Preferably a width 82 of therubber wiper 64 a is about as wide as a diameter of the bristles 62 a.Also, the width 82 may be about 4 to 12 inches wide.

The horizontal member 80 may be a bar with telescoping portions oneither the passenger side with the driver side when the tracks 76, 78are skewed with respect to each other. If the tracks and 76, 78 areparallel with respect to each other, then the horizontal member 80 maybe a fixed length. However, it is also contemplated that the horizontalmember 80 may be a belt driven structure. The belt driven structurecomprises of a circular belt that runs on pulleys. The pulleys may belocated adjacent the tracks 76, 78 and be operative to be traversed upand down the tracks 76, 78. The cleaning head 14 a is fixedly attachedto the belt. In order to traverse the cleaning head 14 a in the left andright directions, the pulleys are rotated to move the belt, and thus thecleaning head 14 a in the left and right directions.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17 , the display 26 which may be touchsensitive may also illustrate the windshield 12 as an icon 100 which canbe depressed or touched in order to activate the windshield cleaningsystem 10. When the windshield icon 100 is depressed, the windshieldcleaner (e.g. cleaning head 14, 14 a) may begin to clean the windshield12. The icon of the windshield 12 may be programmed to clean a primaryfield of view of the windshield when the icon of the windshield 12 isdepressed once. When the windshield icon is depressed a second time withthe time delay between the first and second depressions being equal orgreat than a momentary pause such as one second or more, this maydeactivate the windshield cleaner so that the windshield cleaner istraversed to a stored position.

As a further alternative to the preprogrammed nature of the icon of thewindshield 12, it is also contemplated that the depression of the iconof the windshield 12 may be operative to clean a driver-side half of thewindshield 12 or a passenger side half of the windshield 12.Alternatively, it is also contemplated that the depression of the iconof the windshield 12 may be operative to clean the entire surface areaof the windshield 12 and not just its primary field of view.

More particularly, the display 26 may also illustrate the windshieldcleaner icon 100. The display 26 may be in electrical communication withthe computer 24 of the automobile. The computer may control thewindshield cleaning system 10 and may be integral with the on-boardcomputer of the automobile or may be an add-on computer that mayintegrate with the on-board computer. The windshield cleaning system 10may provide for a spot cleaning function as well as an entire windshieldcleaning function. It is also contemplated that the windshield cleaningsystem may include a windshield wiper with windshield blades that rotateabout a pivot point(s). The computer 24 may also control the windshieldblades of the windshield wiper system. In this regard, when thewindshield cleaner icon 100 is displayed, the user may depress thewindshield cleaner icon 100 on the touch sensitive display 26. Upondepression, the display may send a signal to the computer 24. Thecomputer may send a signal to the motor 32 to rotate the wiper blades oroperate the windshield cleaner for wiping and cleaning the windshield ofthe automobile. Additionally, the windshield cleaner icon 100 wheneither the articulating joint system or the gantry system is installedon the automobile may, when depressed, operate the articulating jointsystem or the gantry system whichever is installed on the automobile toclean the windshield of the automobile.

In another aspect, the display 26 may also have a cruise control icon102 which when depressed may activate the cruise control program of theautomobile (e.g., passenger vehicles, trucks, busses, recreationalvehicles and motor homes). More particularly, when the cruise controlicon is depressed, the current speed of the car or automobile may bemaintained by the cruise control program of the automobile. The cruisecontrol program of the automobile may be loaded on an on-board computerof the automobile. By on-board, this may include a computer that isintegral or an add-on to the computer of the automobile that controlsthe other functions (e.g., door locks, engine control system, etc.) ofthe automobile. By way of example and not limitation, if an add-oncomputer performs the cruise control program, that add-on computer maybe a smart phone. In this manner, the smart phone processor may performthe cruise control program. Alternatively, the smart phoneprocessor/computer may work in conjunction with the on-board computerthat performs the cruise control program.

The cruise control program may include an active cruise control featurewherein the automobile is set to a particular speed or set to aparticular maximum speed but the automobile may be slowed down if adistance sensor on the automobile senses a vehicle in front of theautomobile closer than a minimum allowable distance. When the cruisecontrol icon 102 is depressed, the display 26 may send an electronicsignal to the computer 24 of the automobile to activate the cruisecontrol program loaded on the automobile computer. If the cruise controlfunction is already activated, depression of the cruise control icon 102may cause the display 26 to send an electronic signal to the computer 24to deactivate the cruise control function. If the first and seconddepressions of the cruise control icon 102 are more than a momentarypause then each depression of the cruise control icon 102 may be used toactivate and deactivate the cruise control program or feature. However,if the cruise control icon 102 is depressed in two quick successions sothat the time between the two depressions is less than a momentarypause, a cruise control settings menu may be displayed on the display.In this regard, the cruise control icon 102 may also be utilized to setcustomizable settings for the cruise control program. These settingsinclude but are not limited to a top speed of the vehicle when thecruise control feature is activated, a minimum distance with a vehiclein front of the automobile, a default speed and a default minimumdistance with the vehicle in front of the automobile.

The cruise control feature may allow the automobile speed to be set to aparticular speed. The speed may be either the current speed of theautomobile or an adjustable max speed controllable by the user. If thecruise control function allow only for a current speed of the automobileto be set, the cruise control function may operate so that the currentspeed of the automobile is maintained when the cruise control featureactivated. The cruise control feature may allow for an adjustment in theautomobile speed controllable by the user. Upon depression of the cruisecontrol icon 102, the cruise control function may be activated so thatthe current speed of the automobile is maintained and the display mayalso show a top speed of the automobile with plus and minus icons usedto increase or decrease the target speed. If the top speed is increasedor decreased, the automobile is accelerated or decelerated based on therelative target speed of the automobile and the actual speed of theautomobile. Initially, when the cruise control function is activatedupon depression of the cruise control icon 102, the target speed may beset to the current speed of the automobile.

The cruise control function may have customizable settings as discussedabove. The customizable settings may be accessed through a cruisecontrol setting icon or it is also contemplated that the customizablesettings may be accessed through a double tapping action of the cruisecontrol icon 102 on the display. When the cruise control function has anactive cruise control feature, the customizable settings may include asetting for top speed of the automobile. The top speed of the automobilemay be set to between 65 mph and 100 mph. For example, the top speed ofthe automobile under control of the cruise control function may be below70 mph. In this regard, the setting for top speed of the automobile maybe no greater than the range stated above. The customizable settings mayalso include a setting for a minimum distance with the vehicle in frontof the automobile. The speed of the automobile may be reduced as theautomobile approaches of vehicle. A proximity sensor of the automobilemay sense that it is coming closer to a vehicle in front of it. Theproximity sensor is capable of determining a distance between theautomobile and the vehicle in front of it. The minimum distance with thevehicle in front of the automobile may be equal to a stopping distanceof the automobile upon full application of the brakes of the automobile.

As used herein, the relative directions up and down are with respect tothe direction of gravity. As used herein, the following part numbersrefer to the following parts: 120—cleaning device; 122—windshield;124—top of windshield; 126—bottom of windshield; 128—starting/first sideof windshield; 129—center of windshield; 130—return/second side ofwindshield; 132—top carrier; 134—bottom carrier; 136—top tracks;138—bottom tracks; 140—frame; 144—top frame; 146—bottom frame;148—starting/first side frame; 150—return/second side frame; 152—brush;153—motor; 154—wiper blade; 156—spray bar; 158 a, 158 b—first and secondflow channel; 160 a, 160 b—first and second spray nozzles; 162—pump;164—container for wash fluid; 166—air compressor; 168—air storagecontainer; 170—side frame cover, 172—drain, 174—cleaning tool housing,176—housing cover, 178 a, 178 b—first and second cleaning tool arms, 180a, 180 b—first and second arm drive mechanism, 182 a, 182 b—first andsecond arm tracks, and 184—splashguard. In embodiments with just one setof cleaning tools (e.g. wiper blade, spray bar, brush), side frame 148is referred to as a starting side frame and side frame 150 is referredto as a return side frame, however, in embodiments where a plurality ofcleaning tools are used, side frame 148 is referred to as a first sideframe and side frame 150 is referred to as a second side frame. Whilethe starting side frame 148 is shown as located on the left side of thewindshield 122 (when facing the windshield), the starting side frame maybe on the right side.

The cleaning devices described below have been described with thecleaning devices being deployed from a front side of the vehicle orvehicle windshield to clean a motor vehicle windshield. Embodiments insupport of a front deployed method and structure may be modified so thatthe cleaning devices are deployed from the side of a vehicle windshieldor vehicle so that the width of the windshield is not reduced toaccommodate the cleaning devices. For example, carrier tracks may becurved so as to be routed from the side of the vehicle windshield orvehicle. Moreover, the windshield 122 may be flat or curved. Thewindshield cleaner may be sized so that the entire windshield or anyselect portion thereof can be cleaned with the windshield cleaner. It isalso contemplated that the disclosed mechanisms and structures could beadapted to clean any appropriate surface, for example a building windowor a tabletop.

Referring to FIGS. 18-31 , a method and apparatus are disclosed forwashing surfaces to which the apparatus is mounted, with specialapplication for washing the windshield 122 of a bus or RV having a top124, an opposing bottom 126, a starting side 128 and a return side 130of the windshield. The cleaning device 120 advantageously moves from thestarting side 128 to the return side 130 and back to the starting side128. The cleaning device 120 advantageously extends across thewindshield between the top and bottom sides 124, 128 and may beconnected to top and bottom carriers 132, 134 which move along top andbottom tracks 136, 138 as the cleaning device moves from the startingside 128 to the return side 130 and back.

Advantageously, the cleaning device 120 is contained in a frame 140having a top frame 144 which contains the top tracks 136, and anopposing bottom frame 146 which contains the bottom tracks 138. Theframe 140 may have starting side frame 148 and an opposing return sideframe 150. Advantageously, the starting side frame 148 and return sideframe 150 extend between the top and bottom frames 144, 146 at opposingends of the frame 140. The various parts of the frame 140 advantageouslyhave cross-sectional shapes that are square in cross-section, wheresquare includes rectangular cross-sectional shapes.

The cleaning device 120 has components to clean and dry the windshield122 and these components may include a brush 152 to wash and scrub thewindshield, a wiper blade 154 to scrape water, and wash fluid and debrisoff the windshield, and at least one spray bar 156 to spray wash fluidonto the windshield and/or brush and to spray bar 156 and to spray aironto the windshield during drying. Advantageously all the cleaningcomponents such as the brush 152, wiper blade 154 and spray bar 156 haveopposing ends that are connected to a different one of the carriers 132,134 so they extend across a height of the windshield 122 and move withthe carriers from side to side across the windshield.

The brush 152 may comprise a rotatable, cylindrical brush and may bemade of radially extending fibers or bristles and preferably has apredetermined, un-deformed diameter. As used herein, the rotatable brushrotates more than one revolution in one direction rather than oscillatesback and forth less than one revolution. The brush 152 may comprise aplurality of radially mounted, elongated but flexible members that hangdownward with gravity and that use centrifugal force arising fromrotation to cause the flexible members to resemble a cylindrical brush.A brush 152 made of a plurality of radially extending, polymer bristlesextending from a central cylindrical core of about 0.5-inch diameter,with an overall diameter of 2-3 inches is believed suitable. The brush152 is rotated by various mechanisms, including by a motor 153 which isadvantageously an electric motor or a fluid driven motor as described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,032,976. When an electric motor 153 is use, the motormay be connected to one of the carriers 132, 134 to rotate the brush 152directly or through a gear mechanism. An electric motor 153 mounted onand moving with the bottom carrier 134 is believed suitable. When afluid drive is used to rotate brush 152, the fluid motor may be asdescribed in the above U.S. Pat. No. 8,032,976, or it may be the fluidpump 162 or the air compressor 166 (or air storage container 168), withan optional valve on one of the carriers 132, 134 or elsewhereregulating the fluid flow.

Whether the rotating mechanism is a motor electrically powered through aconductive wire or fluid powered as by air or washer fluid through asupply tube, the fluid supply tube or electrical supply wires may extendfrom one side frame 148, 150 toward the opposing side frame 150, 148,and are advantageously contained in one of the top or bottom frames 144,146. Electrical wires or fluid tubes extending from the starting sideframe 148 and resiliently tethered to the return side frame 150 andcontained in the bottom frame—are believed suitable. The resilienttether is believed to help keep the tubes or wires from tangling duringreciprocal motion of the brush 53. It is also believed suitable to havethe electrical wires or fluid supply tubes extending from the middle ofthe top or bottom frames and tethered to one of the starting side orreturn side frames to help keep the tubes or wires from tangling duringreciprocating movement of the brush 152.

The wiper blade 154 is an elongated, flexible, rubber or elastomericblade of the type used in windshield wipers or a squeegee. The wiperblade 154 typically has a triangular cross-sectional shape narrowest atthe tip which abuts the windshield 122 during use. The wiper blade, whenpressed against the windshield 122 and moved from the return side 130 ofthe windshield toward the starting side 128 of the windshield, pusheswater, washing fluid and debris off the windshield surface to leave aneffectively dry windshield when things work properly. The angle of thewiper blade 154 relative to the outer surface of the windshield 122 willvary, with an angle of about 70-90° believed suitable, and with theflexible tip of the wiper blade lagging behind the thicker mountingportion of the blade as the blade moves during use. The length of thewiper blade 154 is preferably aligned in the vertical plane, but couldbe inclined thereto with the top more inclined toward the starting sideframe 148 to direct the water toward the bottom frame 146.

The spray bar 156 may comprise a single rotating bar having separate,first and second flow channels 158 a, 158 b (FIG. 18 ), each flowchannel having a respective first and second plurality spray nozzles 160a, 160 b so nozzles 160 a are associate first flow channel 158 a, andnozzles 160 b are associated with second flow channel 158 b. The firstflow channel 158 a is in fluid communication with a source ofpressurized wash fluid, which may comprise pump 162 that is in fluidcommunication with a source of wash fluid or cleaning fluid, such ascontainer 164. As desired, the pump 162 may draw soap from one containerand water from another container and mix them for deliver to flowchannel 158 a, but preferably a premixed was fluid is provided incontainer 164, with the pump passing the wash fluid to the first flowchannel 158 a under a predetermined pressure. A pressure of a few psi isbelieved suitable for use, about 2-10 psi. While higher pressures arebelieved usable, it is believed desirable to avoid pressures high enoughto require high pressure fittings and seals as those may shorten thesystem's life. Thus, a pressure less than about 20 psi is believeddesirable. As used herein, the term “less than about 20 psi” may includezero, but that would not generate any pressure so the term “a pressureless than about 20 psi” refers to a non-zero pressure sufficient tofunction in the device described herein. The water, liquid soap or themixture of water and soap may be heated with a heater (e.g., thermosexchanger with the engine of the vehicle, electric heater, etc.) so thatheated mixture of water and soap may be sprayed onto the windshield. Ifthe windshield is frosted or has ice frozen over it, then the heatliquid mixture may be utilized to defrost the windshield.

The second flow channel 158 b is in fluid communication with a source ofpressurized air, which may comprise an air compressor 166, or an airstorage container 168, or both. If the air compressor is utilized, thenthe air compressor may run off of power from the vehicle engine.Alternatively, in lieu of a separate air compressor dedicated for thewindshield cleaner, it is also contemplated that the windshield cleanermay utilize the air compressor of the vehicle (e.g., air ride, etc.). Anair storage container 168 is desirable as it may provide a high airpressure with little or no delay, but the pressurized air has its ownstorage issues and has limited capacity. The use of both a pressurizedcontainer 168 and an air compressor 166 allows a prompt supply ofpressurized air and a continuing supply. A pressure sufficient to blowwater droplets off the windshield 122 is desirable, with a pressure ofabout 10-40 psi believed desirable. Higher pressures are believedacceptable for use, but the higher pressures may involve more complexseals and protective measures if a high-pressure container 168 is used.

The fluid supply tubes to the first and second flow channels 158 a, 158b may arranged the same as described for the electrical wires and fluidsupply to the brush 152. Advantageously, the supply tubes compriseflexible elastomeric tubes that extend from the starting side frame 148or the middle of the bottom frame 146, with the supply tubs tethered toone of the return side frame 150 or starting side frame 148 to helpavoid tangling.

During use of the cleaning system 120, the brush 152 rotates against thewindshield 122 as the carriers 132, 134 move the brush from the startingside frame 148 to the return side frame 150, with the brush preferablynot rotating against the windshield as the carriers move the brush backto the starting side frame 148. During use, the spray bar 156 has firstspray nozzles 61 a adjacent the windshield and adjacent the rotatingbrush 152 and between the rotating brush and the return side 150 duringwashing. Shortly before or during the return movement of the carriers132, 134 from the return side frame 150 to the starting side 148, thespray bar 156 rotates to the opposing side of the brush 152 so thesecond spray nozzles 160 b are adjacent the windshield 122 and adjacentthe wiper blade 154, while the brush 152 is lifted away from the surfaceof windshield 122 and preferably does not rotate. During use, the wiperblade 154 does not contact and scrape against the windshield 122 as thecarriers 132, 134 move the wiper blade from the starting side frame 148to the return side frame 150, with the wiper blade urged against thewindshield 122 to scrape water from the windshield as the carriers movethe wiper blade from the return side frame 150 to the starting sideframe 148.

The engagement and disengagement of the brush 152 and wiper blade 154with the windshield may be achieved by various mechanisms, includingrotating a support member having the brush 152 and wiper blade 154 onopposing, first and second ends of the support member, so that the wiperblade 154 is away from the windshield 122 when the brush 152 engages thewindshield, and the brush 152 is away from the windshield when the wiperblade 154 engages the windshield. The brush 152 and wiper blade 154 maybe positioned various ways, including separate linear or rotaryactuators (e.g., solenoids or motors) connected to one or both carriers132, 134 and further connected to the brush 152 and/or wiper blade 154so the brush and blade may be moved separately toward or away from thewindshield or move simultaneously in opposing directions toward or awayfrom the windshield. The movement may be achieved, by pneumatic or fluidmotors driven by the pump 162, air compressor 166, or air storagecontainer 168. Various cams and cam pins may be connected to one or bothof the carriers 132, 134, or on the support member for the brush andwiper blade, or on the top and bottom frames 144, 146 or return sideframe 150, to position the brush 152 and wiper blade 154 relative to thewindshield 122. Depending on the mechanism used to position the brush152 and wiper blade 154, various position or actuator sensors may beused to control the mechanisms. A resilient spring may be interposedbetween the device providing the moving force and the wiper blade 154and between the device providing the moving force and the brush 152 inorder to resiliently urge the brush 152 and wiper blade 154 against thewindshield 122.

The spray bar 156 advantageously has a U-shape with opposing endsconnected to different ones of the top and bottom carriers 132, 134. Thespray bar 156 rotates relative to those carriers 132, 134 to place thefirst spray nozzles 160 a adjacent the brush 152 and windshield eitherbefore or as the spray bar moves from the starting side frame 148 towardthe return side frame 150. As the spray bar reaches or extends into thereturn side frame 150 the spray bar rotates to the other side of thebrush 152. The rotation may be achieved, by various devices, includingpneumatic or fluid motors driven by the pump 162, air compressor 166, orair storage container 168. Electric motors and cam mechanisms are alsobelieved suitable, with cam pins connected to the top or bottom frames144, 146 or to the return frame 150 engaging portions of the spray bar156 or a cam member connected to the carrier, to cause rotation of thespray bar adjacent the return frame 150. Depending on the mechanism usedto position the spray bar 156, various position or actuator sensors maybe used to control the mechanism(s) rotating or positioning the spraybar.

The top and bottom carriers 132, 135 are advantageously sized andconfigured to fit within the top and bottom frames 144, 146. Thecarriers 132, 134 advantageously reciprocate along the top and bottomtracks 136, 138 from the starting side of the windshield (or startingside frame) to the return side of the windshield (or return side frame)and back to the starting side of the windshield (or return side frame).The tracks 136, 138 and their respective carriers 132, 134 may takevarious forms to guide the carriers during use as they reciprocate fromthe starting side frame 148 to the return side frame 150 and back to thestarting side frame 148. The tracks 136, 138 may be the same, ordifferent in construction.

Typically, one of the tracks or carriers has a rolling or slidingcontact that is entrapped by the other of the tracks or carriers toguide the movement of the carriers along the tracks. The tracks 136, 138may take the form of an elongated member with an enlarged portion whilethe carriers 132, 134 are configured to engage the enlarged portion in arolling or sliding contact and move along the tracks with the enlargedportion guiding the carrier. Monorails may use this type of system.Conversely, the tracks 136, 138 may form a recess with the carriers 132,134 having an enlarged portion to engage the recess in a sliding orrolling contact and move along the tracks with the enlarged portionguiding the carrier. One of the tracks and one of the carriers may haveone of the above general features, while the other of the tracks andcarriers has the other of the above general features, and theorientation of the top and bottom parts may change.

Thus, for example, the bottom track 138 may take the form of a generallyhorizontally or laterally extending C-shaped track with a generallyvertical wheel or wheels on the bottom carrier 134 guided between theshort legs of the C-section on the bottom track 138, while the top track136 may be comprise a generally vertical, C-shaped track with the topcarrier 132 having generally vertically oriented wheels and rollingalong the bottom, short leg of the C-shaped, top track. Alternatively,the top track could have a construction as described for the bottomtrack, or vice versa. As a further illustrative example, tracks androlling and sliding followers as used on sliding glass doors and roomdividers are also believed suitable. The carriers 132, 134 and the partsextending between them (brush, wiper blade, spray bar) may be supportedby the bottom carrier and guided by the top carrier, or suspended fromthe top carrier and guided by the bottom carrier, or a combination ofthe two.

If the tracks 136, 138 do not involve a specific drive mechanism asdescribed below, then a separate movement mechanism may be provided tomove the carriers 132, 134 and associated brush 152, wiper blade 154 andspray bar 156 in a reciprocal motion across the windshield and back. Abelt or pully system may extend between the starting side frame 148 andreturn side frame 150, with the belt or pulley connected to one of thetop or bottom carriers 132, 134, with a drive motor and controladvantageously located in one of the side frames, preferably thestarting side frame 148. Other drive mechanisms may be used, includingpneumatic drives or fluid drives powered by the air compressor 166 orair storage container 168 or pump 162. A separate electric motor drivecould also be provided, powered by the vehicle's battery. The otherelectrical components and motors described herein are alsoadvantageously powered by and thus in electrical communication with thevehicle's battery.

Some drive mechanisms involve specific drives. One or both of the tracks136, 138 may comprise a rack gear that may be slightly curved to confirmto the shape of the portion windshield along which the track extends,with a pinion gear connected to one or both of the carriers 132 or 134guided by the track connected to the carrier. The windshield 122 andtracks, 136, 138 are curved or bowed so the opposing ends of the top andbottom tracks are offset from a middle of the track. A cog wheel andtrack may be associated with only one or each of the carriers 132, 134.These drive mechanisms lend themselves to use with tracks 136, 138 thatare slightly curved to conform to the shape of the adjacent windshield.If straight tracks may be used, then lead screws and ball screws mayalso be used to move the carrier(s) 132, 134 across the windshield 122and back to the starting side frame 148.

The starting/first side frame 148 and return/second side frame 150 mayeach have its own cover 170 which are advantageously opened during useand closed when not in use. The top and bottom frames 144, 148 alsopreferably have similar covers that open during use and closed when notin use, but hose covers are not shown in detail. The starting framecover 170 covers the starting side frame 148 and cleaning componentslocated therein when not in use. Advantageously, the carriers 132, 134,brush 152, wiper blade 154 and spray bar 156 start and stop theirreciprocal motion at the starting side frame 148 and fit within thatframe 148 and cover 170 when not in use. Both covers 170 also acts as asplash shields to reduce the amount of washer water the rotating brush152 splashes to the sides of the vehicle. Water splashing to the side ofthe windshield 122 may enter the vehicle if a side windshield is open,and may collect on the side of the vehicle or side windshields andcreate undesirable deposits of dirt and mud. Advantageously, each cover170 directs any collected washer fluid and debris toward the side frameassociated with the cover and a drain 172 is provided at the bottom ofthe starting side frame 148 and return side frame 150 to allow suchcollected fluids to be directed by drain tubing toward the bottom of thevehicle where it drips onto the ground on which the vehicle travels.

During use, the covers 170 open on the vehicle side frames 148, 150 andif not already in position, the spray bar 156 moves into its firstoperating position adjacent the windshield 122 and brush 152. The brush152 starts rotating and washer fluid is sprayed onto the windshieldand/or brush through first spray nozzles 160 a of the spray bar. One orboth of the top and bottom carriers 132, 134 move the rotating brush152, spray bar 156 and non-contacting wiper blade 154 across thewindshield 122 from the starting side 128 of the windshield and thestarting side frame 148, toward the return side of the windshield 130and the return side frame 150. The top and bottom carriers 132, 134 movealong the respective top and bottom tracks 136, 138 during thismovement. The wiper blade 154 is not in contact with the windshield 122during this movement. The washing position is shown in solid lines inFIG. 18 .

When the spray bar 156 reaches the return side frame 150 the spray bar156 is rotated about half a turn to a second operating position adjacentthe windshield 122 and adjacent the wiper blade 154 and air flows fromthe second spray nozzles 160 b. This drying position is shown in brokenlines in FIG. 18 . The flow of washer fluid to the rotating brush 152 isstopped and the rotating brush is lifted from contact with thewindshield while the wiper is placed in contact with the windshield.After spinning a short while to throw off washer fluid from the brush,the rotation of the brush is stopped. The carrier plate(s) 132, 134 thenmove the wiper blade 154, spray bar 156 and non-rotating, non-contactingbrush 152 across the windshield from the return side of the windshield130 and return side frame 150 to the starting side of the windshield 128and the starting side frame 148, with the wiper blade and spray nozzles160 b removing washer water and debris from the windshield surfaceduring that return movement of the parts. The washer water and debrisare advantageously blown toward the bottom frame 146 and starting sideframe 148, both of which advantageously direct that washer water anddebris to the drains 172.

As shown in FIG. 31 , when the spray bar 156 reaches the starting sideframe 148 the spray bar is moved to a storage position so the spray bar,brush 152 and wiper blade 154 may fit within the starting side frame 147with the cover closed over the starting side frame 148. Because thestarting side frame 148 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape, thespray bar is moved to a location adjacent the juncture of the startingside frame 148 and the starting side frame cover 170, which is about135° away from the surface of the windshield and about 45° from thereturn location adjacent the windshield and the wiper blade 154. Thespray bar may be angled toward the corner of the rectangularcross-sectional shape of the starting side frame 148 to reduce theprofile of the side frame 48. The storage configurations will varydepending on the configurations of the parts. Each cover 170 is placedover the starting side frame 148 or the return side frame 150 that isassociated with each cover 170. The covers 170 are preferably hinged tothe associated starting side frame 148 and return side frame 150, androtated to the open and closed position by a separate electric motor.

Referring to FIGS. 32-39 , systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosedfor utilizing an alternative cleaning tool housing 174 to house brushes,wiper blades, and spray bars for a cleaning device in a disengagedposition when not in use and in an engaged position when in use forcleaning a surface. As used herein, a housing that “houses” a cleaningtool is one that substantially (between 90% and 100%) surrounds at leastthree sides of a three-dimensional volume enclosing the cleaning tool.Cleaning tool housing 174 is shown coupled to a rooftop of a motorvehicle above top frame 144, and is preferably coupled using a permanentattachment means, such as welding or glue, although other attachmentmeans, such as screws and bolts, could be used to couple cleaning toolhousing to the motor vehicle.

Cleaning tool housing 174 is sized and disposed to house cleaning toolsfor the cleaning device—in this case two sets of brushes, wiper blades,spray bars, and splashguards where each set composes a cleaning tool arm180 a and 180 b. While the space for the brushes, wiper blades, andspray bars is shown as a single cavity large enough to hold bothcleaning tool arms 180 a and 180 b, cleaning tool housing 174 could beconfigured to have a plurality of cavities, for example two cavitiesthat each house a cleaning tool arm, or six cavities that eachdiscretely house a discrete cleaning tool. Cleaning tool housing 174preferably has at least one housing cover 176 to enclose at least aportion of a cavity in which a cleaning tool is housed. Housing cover176 is shown here as a single motorized door that folds within a cavityof cleaning tool housing 174 when the cleaning device is activated,however housing cover 176 could comprise a plurality of covers or couldcomprise a manual door in other embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 , arm drive mechanism 180 a is configured tomove first cleaning tool arm from a disengaged position within cleaningtool housing 174 to an engaged position outside of cleaning tool housing174, and arm drive mechanism 180 b is configured to move first cleaningtool arm 178 b from a disengaged position within cleaning tool housing174 to an engaged position outside of cleaning tool housing 174. Whilethe engagement drive mechanisms shown in FIGS. 33 and 34 are disclosedby way of example as rotating ball joints of arm drive mechanisms 180 aand 180 b, any suitable mechanism could be used to move a cleaning toolfrom a disengaged position within the cleaning tool housing to anengaged position outside the cleaning tool housing, such as a motorizedhinge or a series of tracks and wheels. Here, arm drive mechanisms 180 aand 180 b move first and second cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b froma horizontal disengaged position within cleaning tool housing 174 seenin FIG. 32 to a vertical engaged position outside cleaning tool housingseen in FIG. 34 using rotating ball joints. The horizontal and verticalaxis are substantially perpendicular to one another, which allows thecleaning tool arms to be discretely stored within a storage area moreaesthetically pleasing than a side of a motor vehicle windshield.Depending upon the surface that the cleaning device is used for, acleaning tool may such that its major length changes between anydisparate axis, for example from a vertical position to a horizontalposition or from a horizontal position to a diagonal position. As usedherein, axis that are “substantially perpendicular” or “substantiallyparallel” to one another are axis that are perpendicular or parallel toone another within 5-10 degrees.

Each of cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b are mounted to first andsecond arm tracks 182 a and 182 b, located within cleaning tool housing174, which allows movement drive mechanisms to move cleaning toolsmounted on the arms across a surface of windshield 122 merely by movingcleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b along tracks 182 a and 182 b. Asshown, first and second arm tracks 182 a and 182 b are slightly curvednear the edges of curved windshield 122, which allow cleaning tool arms178 a and 178 b, respectively, to clean a non-planar surface ofwindshield 122 along the curved edges of windshield 122. When a cleaningtool arm is designed to clean a non-planar surface, preferably, anytracks that a cleaning tool arm is mounted to would have a track that issized and disposed to conform to a profile of the surface such that acleaning tool (e.g. a brush and/or a wiper blade) of the cleaning toolarm maintains contact while the cleaning tool arm is moved along thetrack. While arm drive mechanisms 180 a and 180 b are used to movecleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b, respectively, along first and secondarm tracks 182 a and 182 b, respectively, other known movement drivemechanisms could be used to move cleaning tools along a surface to becleaned, such as robotic arms with multiple elbow joints or hingedjoints for a cleaning tool similar to hinged joints of known windshieldwipers.

Arm drive mechanisms 182 a and 182 b move the cleaning tool arms 178 aand 178 b, respectively, towards center of windshield 129, and are thenactivated to scrub their respective sides of windshield 122—first sideof windshield 128 and second side of windshield 130. Activation ofcleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b can be observed more clearly in FIGS.35-39 , which show that liquid is sprayed towards windshield 122 while abrush wipes the surface while the cleaning tool arm is moved in onedirection across windshield 122 to scrub a side of windshield 122 inFIGS. 35-38A, and then a wiper blade is placed against the surface whilethe cleaning tool arm is moved in another direction across windshield122 to dry a side of windshield 122 in FIGS. 38B-39 .

As shown in FIG. 36 , when cleaning tool arm 178 b is activated to scrubthe second side 124 of windshield 122, spray bar 156 is used to sprayliquid, for example water or a washer fluid, towards the surface ofwindshield 122, while brush 152 rotates against the surface ofwindshield 122. Splashguard 184 prevents the spraying water fromspraying/splashing/ricocheting too far away from the surface ofwindshield 122, directing a majority of splashing fluid back towards thesurface of windshield 122. Preferably, a brush drive mechanism is usedto rotate brush 152 without also rotating spray bar 156, for example byusing nested bars coupled via ball bearings. Any means of sprayingliquid via spray bar 156 could be used, for example by using previouslydisclosed fluid channels with sets of spray nozzles pointed towards thesurface of windshield 122. Since spray bar 156 is located to the rightof rotating brush 152, and cleaning tool arm 178 b moves to the rightwhen scrubbing the second side 124 of windshield 122, portions ofwindshield 122 is sprayed with the liquid before the brush scrubs thatportion of windshield 122. This is shown more clearly in FIG. 37 , whichshows one side of the cleaning tool arms having concentrated foambubbles generated by spraying washer fluid towards the surface ofwindshield 122 with a spray bar, and the other side of the cleaning toolarms having less concentrated scrubbing bubbles generated by scrubbingthe surface of windshield 122 with a brush. Similar embodiments existfor cleaning tool arm 178 a.

In some embodiments, spray bar 156 is configured to perform a deicingprocedure prior to spraying cleaning liquid onto windshield 122. In oneembodiment, the deicing procedure comprises configuring spray bar 156 tofirst spray a deicing material onto windshield 122 prior to sprayingcleaning fluid onto windshield 122. Any suitable deicing material couldbe used, for example warm water, any fluid having a melting point lowerthan water (e.g. alcohol, glycol, or a mixture thereof) or warm aircould be sprayed onto windshield 122 prior to spraying cleaning fluid.In embodiments where the deicing material is warm water, the systemcould be configured to first heat the water within a liquid reservoirbefore spraying the warm water onto windshield 122, or by directingfluid from a hot water heater on the vehicle onto windshield 122. Whilethe liquid reservoir could be contained within cleaning tool housing174, the liquid reservoir could also be coupled to an exteriorattachment means (e.g. a threaded screw hole) on cleaning tool housing,or could be coupled to another portion of the vehicle, having a hosethat leads to a spray nozzle, such as nozzle 160 a or 160 b. In suchembodiments, preferably two different hoses, one that transports deicingmaterial and another that transports cleaning fluid, both lead to asingle spray nozzle on a cleaning bar. In other embodiments, a separatespray nozzle (not shown) mounted to spray bar 156 could be used to spraydeicing material onto windshield 122 prior to spraying cleaning fluid.

As shown in FIGS. 38A, 38B, 40A, and 40B, when cleaning tool arm 178 a,reaches an edge of windshield 122, the system stops the rotation ofbrush 152 and stops spray bar 156 from spraying liquid, and thenactivates a transitioning drive mechanism to move spray bar 156 from aspraying position to a wiping position. Exemplary transitioning drivemechanisms could comprise a simple rotating joint coupled to the hingeto rotate cleaning tool arm 178 a to move its spray bar from a sprayingposition to a wiping position. Cleaning tool arm 178 a rotates spray bar156 about brush 152 such that wiper blade 154 mounted to spray bar 156is in contact with the surface of the windshield 122. From thisposition, the system dries windshield 122 by moving the cleaning toolarms back towards center of windshield 129. Since wiper blade 154 is incontact with the surface of windshield 122, as cleaning tool arm 178 amoves towards center of windshield 122, wiper blade 154 acts as asqueegee to dry the surface of windshield 122. Preferably, such atransitioning drive mechanism is used to move brush 152 away from thesurface of windshield 122 to prevent any bristles of brush 152 fromtouching the surface of windshield 122 while wiper blade 154 squeegee'sthe surface of windshield 122. Also preferably, an air compressor blowsair through a fluid channel in spray bar 156 to blow air through a setof spray nozzles to help dry the surface of windshield 122. Similarembodiments exist for cleaning tool arm 178 b.

As shown in FIGS. 40C and 40D, the tip of wiper blade 154 could beoriented in a variety of directions to dry the surface of windshield122. The tip of wiper blade 154 could be oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the surface of windshield 122, acute to the surface ofwindshield 122, or obtuse to the surface of windshield 122. In someembodiments, wiper blade 154 could also be bent. For example, a lengthof wiper blade 154 distal from the tip is substantially perpendicular tothe surface of windshield 122 while a length of wiper blade 154 proximalto the tip is substantially acute or obtuse to the surface of windshield122. In some embodiments, both spray bar 156 and wiper blade 154 couldhave matching attachment mechanisms that allow a user to interchangeablyattach wiper blades having different angled configurations to spray bar156. Contemplated attachment mechanisms include sliding dovetail joints,matching recesses/projections, and magnets.

When cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b are finished drying the surfaceof windshield 122, the arm drive mechanisms 180 a and 180 b,respectively, preferably rotate cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b,respectively, such that the tip of the wiper blades no longer touch thesurface of windshield 122, and then move cleaning tool arms 178 a and178 b to disengaged positions within cleaning tool housing 176. A doordrive mechanism could then preferably close housing cover 176.

While two cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b are used to cleanwindshield 122, more or less cleaning tool arms could be used. Forexample, a single cleaning tool arm could be stored within cleaning toolhousing 176, which is unfolded to an edge of the windshield, such asfirst side of windshield 128, and is then moved along a track spanningthe entire horizontal length of windshield 122, or two cleaning toolarms could be moved to an engaged position on the first side ofwindshield 128 and two more cleaning tool arms could be moved to anengaged position on the second side of windshield 130.

While wiper blade 154 is shown as coupled to a side of spray bar 156,wiper blade 154 could have been coupled to a separate bar to the side ofspray bar 156, or could be on a separate arm completely. In otherembodiments, a cleaning device could have discrete arms for each of thebrush, spray bar, and wiper blade, each of which can have discreteengagement drive mechanisms and movement drive mechanisms. While asingle arm drive mechanism is used as an engagement drive mechanism tomove each cleaning tool arm between the engaged position and thedisengaged position, as a movement drive mechanism to move each cleaningtool arm across the surface of the windshield, and as a transitioningdrive mechanism to move the brush, spray bar, and wiper blade from aspraying position to a wiping position, in some embodiments discretedrive mechanisms could be used as the engagement drive mechanism,movement drive mechanism, and transitioning drive mechanisms for acleaning device. For example, an engagement drive mechanism couldcomprise a hinge that unfolds cleaning tool arm 178 a from a disengagedposition within cleaning tool housing 176 to first side of windshield128, a transition drive mechanism could comprise a rotating jointcoupled to the hinge to rotate cleaning tool arm 178 a to move its spraybar from a spraying position to a wiping position, and a movement drivemechanism could comprise a trolley coupled to the rotating joint thatmoves cleaning tool arm 178 a along first arm track 182 a.

Movement of the cleaning tools could also be reversed compared to theexemplary movements disclosed herein, for example the cleaning toolscould brush from the exterior edges to the middle, and wipe from themiddle to the exterior edges, or could even be performed in otherdirections, for example brushing from top to bottom and wiping frombottom to top and vice-versa, or even moving diagonally. Preferably, themovement of the cleaning tools runs from one major edge to another majoredge of the surface, for example from a major edge of a rectangle to amajor edge of a rectangle.

While cleaning tool housing 174 is shown coupled to a portion of themotor vehicle located above top frame 144, cleaning tool housing 174could be coupled to either side of windshield 122, or even could becoupled below windshield 122. In some embodiments, cleaning tool housingcould be coupled to a motorized arm that extends to a point proximal towindshield 122 such that a drive mechanism is configured to extend acleaning tool from the cleaning tool housing to operationally affect asurface of windshield 122, however cleaning tool housing 176 ispreferably coupled within a few inches from an edge of windshield 122,such as within 10 inches, 5 inches, 1 inch, or even abutting a frame ofwindshield 122, such as top frame 144. In embodiments where the cleaningtool is mobile with respect to the surface to be cleaned, such as anelevated scaffolding for cleaning the exterior of a building, thecleaning tool housing could be mounted to an edge of thescaffolding—preferably an edge closest to the surface of the window.

Regarding the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 18-31 , an appropriatecontrol system may be advantageously provided to open and close thecovers 170, move the spray bar 154 to its first, second and storagepositions at the appropriate time and location, start and stop rotationof the brush 152 at the appropriate time and location, start and stopthe flow of washer fluid to and through the first spray nozzles 160 a,start and stop the flow of air to and through the second spray nozzles160 b, start, stop and reverse the movement of the top and bottomcarriers 132, 134 (and connected brush, spray bar and wiper blade).

Regarding the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 32-39 , appropriate controlsystems may be advantageously provided to open and close housing cover176, move first and second cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b betweenthe disengaged position and the engaged position, move first and secondcleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b across the surface of windshield 122,move the brushes of first and second cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 baway and towards the surface of windshield 122, start and stop rotationof the brushes of first and second cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b,start and stop the flow of washer fluid to the spray bars of first andsecond cleaning tool arms 178 a and 178 b, start and stop the flow ofair to the spray bars of first and second cleaning tool arms 178 a and178 b, and transition the spray bars of first and second cleaning toolarms 178 a and 178 b between the spraying position and the wipingposition, all at the appropriate times and locations.

In embodiments where spray bar 156 is configured to spray both deicingmaterial and cleaning fluid onto windshield 122, the control system maybe configured to have a user interface that allows a user to selecteither a deicing wash or a non-deicing wash, where the only differencebetween the two washes is whether deicing material is first sprayed onthe windshield before cleaning fluid is sprayed onto the windshield. Inembodiments where deicing material is first sprayed, the control systemcould be configured to spray deicing material across the windshieldwhile the arm moves across the windshield, and then spray cleaning fluidacross the windshield over the deicing material, or could be configuredto first spray deicing material across the windshield use the wiperblade across the windshield, and then spray cleaning fluid across thewindshield.

The frame 140 is preferably sized to close surround and enclose theperiphery of windshield, and preferably the outer, front surface of theframe is flat against or flush with the adjacent surface of the vehicleto which the frame 140 is connected. The frame 140 advantageouslyextends into the front portion of the vehicle and thus may require somealteration of the vehicle if the frame 140 is retrofit to preexistingvehicles. As the frame 140 encircles the windshield 140, it may beadvantageous for the frame 140 to have inwardly extending flanges towhich the windshield 122 is connected so that the windshield may bemounted to or connected to the frame 140. The frame 140 is believedoptional, especially the top and bottom frames 144, 146 which couldprimarily enclose the rails on which the top and bottom carriers 134,136 travel and which guide those carriers.

With reference next to FIGS. 41-46 , in another embodiment, a windowcleaning system 200 can be stored hidden within a front face 202 of thevehicle 30 when not in use, and selectively deployed to clean thewindshield 122 of the vehicle 30. With specific reference to FIGS. 41and 42 , the windshield 122 of the vehicle 30 has a top portion 124,bottom portion 116 first side portion 128, and second side portion 130.A front face 202 of the vehicle 30 in the illustrated embodiment issubstantially vertical and disposed generally below the windshield 122.A cover 204 preferably is arranged to lie substantially flush with thefront face 202 and provides selective access through a cavity 205 to astorage space 206 behind the front face202. The cover 204 can beconfigured to hingedly open as shown in FIG. 42 so as to reveal thewindow cleaning system 200. As shown, window cleaning system 200 isretained within the storage space 206 close behind the front face 202.Preferably, a cover actuator 208, such as a motor, is configured toselectively rotate the cover 204 about its hinge to the open positionshown in FIG. 42 .

With additional reference to FIG. 43 , the window cleaning system 200includes a cleaning head 210 supported by an active positioning system212 that is configured to position the cleaning head 210 atsubstantially any position on the windshield 122. The illustrated activepositioning system 212 includes an elongated track 214 that supports abase mount 218 thereon. The base mount 218 preferably comprises anactuator such as a motor that is configured to move the base mount 218linearly along the length of the track 214. In the illustratedembodiment, the track 214 is mounted at either end onto structuralmembers 216 of the vehicle 30.

With continued reference specifically to FIGS. 42 and 43 , a baseextension member 220 extends from the base mount 218 and terminates at abase joint 222. As illustrated, the base extension member 220 furthercomprises a base telescoping member 224 and a base receiver member 226.As such, a length of the base extension member 220 can be readilyadjusted so as to position the base joint 222 forwardly of the frontface 202 as the cleaning system 200 as it is being deployed. Expansionand contraction of the base extension member 220 can be effectuated byan actuator such as a motor and/or piston/cylinder structure, or anyother actuator structure. It is to be understood that various structurescan be employed for the base extension member 220. For example ratherthan the illustrated telescopic arrangement, the base extension member220 can be configured to be moved relative to the base mount 218 so asto move the base joint 222 linearly between the deployed position shownin FIG. 43 and the storage position shown in FIG. 42 .

The base joint 222 can be rotated relative to the base mount 218. Anelongated first extension member 230 extends from the base joint 222 toan articulating joint 232. An elongated second extension member 234extends from the articulating joint 232 to a head joint 240 that isconnected to the cleaning head 210. The illustrated second extensionmember 234 comprises a telescoping member 236 that is received within areceiving member 238 so that the length of the second extension member234 can be selectively modified.

Preferably, the articulating joint 232 is configured so that the secondextension member 234 can be rotated relative to the first extensionmember 236. A plurality of actuators, such as motors, can be provided toselectively actuate the base mount 218, base extension member 220, basejoint 222, first extension member 230, articulating joint 232, secondextension member 234, and head joint 240. Preferably, a controller 242,which is shown schematically in FIG. 43 , can be connected to the activepositioning system 212 via a power/data line 244 so as to provide powerand control instructions so that the plurality of actuators worktogether to place the cleaning head 210 in a desired position and moveit according to a desired pattern. The controller 242 can be independentof or work in concert with the vehicle's computer 24. In somevariations, the controller 242 can be incorporated into the vehicle'scomputer 24. Also, it is to be understood that, in other variations,data can be communicated within the system by wired or wirelessconnections, including hybrids of same.

With continued reference to FIG. 43 , a cleaning fluid source 246 cansupply cleaning fluid to a cleaning fluid line 248 that can extendthrough hollow portions of the first extension member 230 and secondextension number 234 to deliver cleaning fluid to the cleaning head 210.Similarly, an air compressor 250 can supply compressed air to an airline 252, which can extend through hollow portions of the firstextension member 230 and second extension member 234 to delivercompressed air to the cleaning head 210. As will be discussed in moredetail below in connection with FIGS. 45 and 46 , the cleaning head 210can comprise a brush side 254 having a plurality of bristles 256 and adrying side 258 having a wiper blade 260.

With specific reference to FIGS. 43 and 44 , in operation, once theactive positioning system 212 has been deployed, the components of theactive positioning system 212 will move in concert to place the brushside 254 of the cleaning head 210 into contact with the windshield 122.Most preferably, cleaning of the windshield 122 is conducted in anorganized manner. For example, as shown in FIG. 43 , the cleaning head210 may first be placed in a corner of the windshield 122 where thebottom side 126 and second side 130 intersect. With the bristles 256pressed against and making constant contact with the windshield 122,cleaning fluid can be injected and the bristles 256 moved over thewindshield 122 along a path 262 from the bottom side 126 of thewindshield 122 vertically to the top side 124 of the windshield 122.This pattern can be repeated, creating multiple adjacent, parallel paths262 in which the cleaning head 210 may be moved up and down whilescrubbing the windshield 122, loosening and removing debris from thewindshield. This pattern can be repeated so that the entire windshieldis scrubbed, possibly leaving behind layers of cleaning fluid that havebeen foamed into soap suds 264.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first extension member 230 isconfigured to be at least slightly rotatable about its axis so as tohave the effect of pushing the cleaning head 210 against the windshield122 with a desired level of force. A sensor can be provided to measurethe resistance force provided by the windshield 122 and provide feedbackto the controller 242 so that a desired pressing force can be maintainedthroughout the cleaning process.

With specific reference next to FIG. 44 , once the entire windshield 122has been cleaned using the brush side 254, the head joint 240 canrotate, positioning the drying side 258 of the cleaning had 210 facingthe windshield 122. The cleaning head 210 can also be rotated so thatthe wiper 260 is positioned generally horizontally, or at leastgenerally perpendicular to the path 262. The active positioning system212 can then be controlled to slide the wiper 260 across the windshield122 along paths 262 so as to remove cleaning fluid/suds 264 and looseneddebris from the windshield 122.

Once the windshield 122 has been sufficiently cleaned and dried, theactive positioning system 212 can operate to return the window cleaningsystem 200 to its storage position as depicted in FIG. 42 , and thecover 204 can be closed to completely hide the system 200 as depicted inFIG. 41 .

With reference next to FIG. 45 , the brush side 254 of the cleaning head210 can be configured with several bristles 256, or another structureconfigured to agitate and remove undesired material from the windshield.A plurality of spray nozzles 266 can be configured to receive cleaningfluid from the cleaning fluid tube 248. A rotating and/or vibratingmotor 268 can be configured to rotate and/or vibrate the brush side 254,or in some variations the entire cleaning head 210, so that the bristles256 will agitate window debris so as to loosen and remove such debrisfrom the windshield 122. It is to be understood that any appropriateconfiguration of bristles and spray nozzles can be employed.

With reference next to FIG. 46 , the drying side 258 of the cleaninghead 210 comprises the wiper blade 260 and can comprise a plurality ofair nozzles 270. The air nozzles 270 can be configured to direct flowsof compressed air onto the windshield 122 to aid drying of thewindshield. Most preferably, the air nozzles 270 are arranged on oneside of the wiper blade 260 and during operation the cleaning head 210is rotated so that the air nozzles direct compressed air onto thewindshield 122 immediately after the wiper blade 260 has wiped cleaningfluid from the windshield. As such, cleaning fluid that may remain onthe windshield after passage of the wiper blade 260 is subject to theflow of compressed air, which helps dry the windshield 122.

A location sensor 272 can be incorporated into the cleaning head 210.The location sensor 272 can be configured to detect the position of thecleaning head 210 relative to the windshield 122. Preferably, thecontroller 242 is configured with knowledge of the shape and dimensionsof the associated windshield 122. As such, the controller 242 canselectively control the plurality of actuators associated with theactive positioning system 212 to place and move the cleaning head 210appropriately. Data from the location sensor 272 can be provided to thecontroller 242 to establish that the actual location of the cleaninghead 210 is as expected by the controller 242. Thus, data from thelocation center sensor 272 can be used by the controller 242 tocalibrate the positioning system 212. The location sensor 272 can beconfigured in any of a plurality of ways. For example, in somevariations the location sensor 272 can sense a distance from a ferrousmaterial and thus sense how close the cleaning had 210 is to metallicportions of the car adjacent edges of the windshield. In anothervariation, a location sensor 272 can include an RFID reader, and aplurality of RFID chips can be placed about edges of the windshield oradjacent edges of windshield. Using data indicating the relativeposition of the cleaning head 210 relative to the RFID chips, thecontroller 242 can determine the actual location of the cleaning head210 relative to the windshield 122.

It is to be understood that a plurality of actuators, such as motorsand/or piston/cylinder combinations, can be provided in connection withthe various joints, telescoping members, rotating or vibrating members,or the like. Such actuators can be configured in any desirable mannerand can be arranged using various structural approaches known in theart. Also, although specific embodiments discussed herein employelectric-powered actuators, it is to be understood that some variationscan employ one or more actuators that are powered and controlled usingother approaches, such as using hydraulic fluid, pressurized gas, or thelike.

With reference next to FIGS. 47-50 , in a variation, a self-containedwindshield cleaning system 300 can comprise a container 302 configuredto define an enclosed space 306 within which an active positioningsystem 212 and cleaning head 310 can be enclosed when in a storedposition. The illustrated self-contained window cleaning system 300 canbe installed by attaching the container 302 to vehicle 30 below thewindshield 122 or another window. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontainer 302 can be mounted onto the front panel 202 of the vehicle 30just below the windshield 122. In some variations, the front panel 202can be cut to create a cavity into which the container 302 can be fullyor partially fit and secured.

As shown, the track 214 is mounted at either end to the sidewalls of thecontainer 302, and a front wall of the container 302 includes a cover304 that preferably is hinged and can be selectively opened to provideaccess for the cleaning head 310 and positioning system 212 be deployed.The active positioning system 212 can include a base mount 218, baseextension member 228, base joint 222, first extension member 230,articulating joint 232 second extension member 234, and head joint 240that can be moved in concert in a manner as discussed above in order toposition the cleaning head 310 as desired. Although not specificallyshown, it is anticipated that power/data wires and tubes can be providedto provide power and control instructions for actuators of the system300 and to provide cleaning fluid and pressurized air to the cleaninghead 310.

With specific reference next to FIGS. 49 and 50 , the cleaning head 310can have similarities to embodiments discussed above, and can include abrush 312 that can be configured to rotate in order to agitate debris onthe windshield 122. A spray bar 316 can extend over the length of thebrush 312 and can include a plurality of spray nozzles 318 that areconnected to cleaning fluid lines 248 and configured to spray cleaningfluid on the windshield 122 and/or directly on the brush 312. The wiperblade 320 can extend from the spray bar 316, and one or more air nozzles322 can be placed in communication with the air line 252 and configuredto selectively dispense pressurized air onto the windshield 122. Oncethe windshield 122 is treated with cleaning fluid and agitation by thebrush 312, the cleaning head 310 can be rotated to put a tip of thewiper blade 320 into contact with the window windshield 122 and thecleaning head 310 can be moved while simultaneously actuating the airnozzles 322 to wipe and dry the windshield 122.

With reference next to FIGS. 51 and 52 , in another embodiment, awindshield washing system 330 can be provided under the hood 38 of avehicle 30. A cover 334 disposed in the hood 38 may hide the washingsystem 330 from view, and preferably is hingedly openable in order toallow the washing system 330 to deploy. In the illustrated variation,the cover 334 extends forwardly from the windshield side of the hood 38and is centered within the width of the hood 38, only extending over apart of the hood width. As shown, the cover 334 has a width about halfof a width of the hood 38. It is to be understood that additionalvariations may employ covers 334 that extend only part of the width ofthe hood 38, but may have widths greater than or less than half of thewidth of the hood 38. Also, the illustrated cover 334 comprises aplurality of louvres 336 that are configured to hingedly rotate to openthe cover 334. The cover 334 is hinged along its forward-most edge, andcan open sufficiently to enable the washing system 330 to be deployedwhile opening about 75° or less, and in some variations about 60° orless, and in further variations about 45° or less.

As best shown in FIG. 52 , the illustrated window washing system 330comprises a cleaning head 310 supported by an active positioning system332 configured to position the cleaning head 310 substantially anywhereon the windshield 122. The illustrated active positioning system 332shares some features with the active positioning system 212 discussedabove. As shown, the base mount 218 is supported so as to be linearlymovable along track 214. The track 214 can be supported at either end bystructural members 338 that are incorporated into the hood 38 or withinthe vehicle's front compartment. A first extension member 230 extends toan articulating joint 232, and a second extension member 234 extendsfrom the articulating joint 232 to a head joint 240, upon which thecleaning head 310 is supported. The first extension member 230 caninclude a telescoping portion 340 and a receiver portion 342 so that thelength of the first extension member 230 can be varied as needed. Thecleaning head 310 can be similar to that discussed above. In theillustrated embodiment, the active positioning system 332 is configuredto move the cleaning head 310 transversely across the windshield along agenerally horizontal path 344 to both clean the windshield and, on alater pass, wipe and dry the windshield 122.

As discussed above in connection with FIGS. 7-12 , variations arecontemplated in which a particular portion of the windshield may becleaned, such as to clean residue 68 from an insect impact or otherdebris that may be concentrated in a localized portion of thewindshield. To wit, a user may wish to concentrate scrubbing andcleaning on only a relatively-small portion of the windshield. Withspecific reference next to FIGS. 53 and 54 , a digital display 26 can beprovided within a cabin 28 of the car, disposed in the dashboard 40. Acamera 350 can be provided, such as on the dashboard 40 or on theceiling of the cabin 28, can be and configured to capture a real-time ornear-real-time image of the windshield 122. Such windshield image 122 acan be depicted on the display. Since the windshield image 122 a is areal-time or near-real-time depiction of the actual windshield 122,debris such as insect residue 68 will be depicted as a residue image 68a. Preferably, the image captured by the camera 350 is processed by thevehicle's computer 24 and/or a cleaning system controller (such as 242)so that the windshield image 122 a is mapped to the display 26.

With continued reference to FIGS. 53 and 54 , in operation, a user canuse their finger 42 to touch the residue image 68 a on the display 26.The display 26 preferably is a touch-screen display configured toidentify the location on the display 26 that has been touched by theuser's finger 42. Since the display 26 is mapped to the windshield image122 a, the location of the windshield image 122 a touched by the user'sfinger 42 on the display is mapped to the actual position on the actualwindshield 122. In the illustrated example, the user's finger touchesthe display 26 at the location of the residue image 68 a, which locationis highlighted 352 to indicate that it has been selected. A processor,such as computer 24, will communicate this selection, and thecorresponding selected location upon the actual windshield 122, to thecontroller 242.

With reference next to FIG. 55 , the controller 242 and then deploy thewindshield washing system 330 to the selected location on thewindshield, which will correspond to the location of the residue 68 ishighlighted by the user on the display 26. Most preferably, thecontroller 242 will define a cleaning zone 354 about the selectedlocation. The cleaning zone 354 can be selected to range a shortdistance, such as between about 1-9 inches, around the selectedlocation. Most preferably the cleaning zone 354 considers cleaning paths344, such as the horizontal cleaning paths employed by the illustratedwindshield washing system 330. For example, the illustrated windshieldwashing system 330 typically follows a horizontal cleaning path 334during operation. In additional variations, during such spot-cleanoperations, the windshield washing system 330 can be configured to makemultiple cleaning passes with the cleaning head 310 over the cleaningzone 354, including continuous operation of the brush 312 inback-and-forth passes, one or more of which can include horizontalvariation of the path (i.e., a generally diagonal path).

Once the selected location has been cleaned so as to loosen and removethe residue 68, the wiper blade 320, and possibly air nozzles 322 of thecleaning head 310 can be employed to dry the cleaning zone 354.Preferably, a drying zone 356 is defined that is somewhat larger thanthe cleaning zone 354. The windshield washing system 330 is operated todry the windshield 122 over the entire drying zone 356 so as to also dryfluid overspray and/or streaks. In some embodiments, the drying zone 356can be defined to extend all the way to the bottom side 126 of thewindshield 122 to ensure drips and streaks are removed.

With reference next to FIGS. 56-58 , another variation of a windshieldwashing system 360 can be provided under the hood 38 of the vehicle 30.A cover 364 disposed in the hood may hide the washing system 360 fromyou within a storage space 363, and preferably is hingedly openable inorder to allow the washing system 362 to be deployed. In the illustratedvariation, the cover 364 extends forwardly from the windshield side ofthe hood 38 generally along the entire width, or substantially theentire width, of the vehicle 34 or hood 38. The illustrated cover 364 isa unitary piece that is hinged along its forward-most edge and can opensufficiently to enable the washing system 360 to be deployed.

The illustrated windshield washing system 360 comprises a cleaning head310 supported by an active positioning system 362 configured to positionthe cleaning head 310 substantially anywhere on the windshield 122. Theillustrated active positioning system 332 comprises a base mount 218supported so as to be linearly movable along track 214. The track 214preferably extends along substantially the entire width of the vehicleand can be supported at either end by structural members 216 of thevehicle 30.

With specific reference to FIG. 57 , a telescoping extension member 366is mounted to the base mount 218 at or adjacent its proximal end andsupports a cleaning head 310 at or adjacent its distal end. Thetelescoping extension member 366 serves as a telescoping arm to positionthe head mount 367 along a height of the windshield. A head mount 367 istelescoping via the telescoping arm or telescoping extension member 366.The head mount 367 may extend from the distal end of the extensionextension member 366 and split into two branches so as to hold thecleaning head 310 on opposing ends. Preferably the head mount 367 can berotated or pivoted about an axis of the extension member 366 to movebetween use of the brush 312 and wiper blade 320. The extension member366 translates linearly with the base mount 218 so that the cleaninghead 310 can be placed into contact with substantially the entire widthof the windshield 122. The illustrated extension member 366 comprises afirst telescoping member 368 that is received within a secondtelescoping member 370, which is correspondingly received into areceiver member 372 that is attached to the base mount 218. As such, alength of the extension member 366 can be extended so that the cleaninghead 310 can be placed into contact with and substantially the entireheight, front to back, of the windshield 122.

With specific reference to FIG. 58 , to store the windshield washingsystem 360, it must be enclosed in the storage space 363 enclosed by thecover 364. In the illustrated variation, in order to fit within thestorage space 363, the extension member 366 is fully retracted so thatthe first telescoping member 368 is retracted into the telescopingmember 370, and the first and second telescoping members 368, 370 arefully drawn into the receiver member 372. The receiver member 372 canfurther be moved proximally relative to the base mount 218 so that theentire windshield washing system 360, including be cleaning head 310,are drawn or traversed into the storage space 363. The cover 364 canthen be closed, and the windshield washing system 360 is maintained outof sight. In additional variations, in order to place the system 360 ina storage position, the base mount 218 can rotate the extension member366 so that it extends generally parallel to the track 214.

With reference next to FIGS. 59-62 , another embodiment of a windshieldwashing system 380 can be stored within a storage space 363 enclosed bya cover 364 disposed in the vehicle hood 38. The illustrated windshieldwashing system 380 comprises a telescoping extension member 382 made upof a telescoping member 384 that is received within a receiver member386 so as to selectively increase (i.e., extend) and decrease (i.e.,reduce) an effective length of the telescoping extension member 382. Acleaning head 390 is attached to a distal end of the telescopingextension member 382. A proximal end of the extension member 382, whichis a proximal end, or base end, of the receiver member 386 isrotationally mounted on a rotating mount 388. In this configuration,actuators of the telescoping extension member 382, rotating mount 388and cleaning head 390 can be operated so as to perform cleaning anddrying operations upon the windshield, preferably using horizontalcleaning paths 344.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning head 390 is rotatably (i.e.,pivotably) attached to the extension member 382 at a pivotable brushattachment 391 positioned generally centrally along the length of abrush portion 392. During each horizontal draw of the cleaning head 390across the windshield 122 during operation of a cleaning cycle, thetelescoping member 384 is withdrawn into the receiver member 386 amaximum extent as the brush 392 is brought past the rotational mount 388so that the extension member 382 is perpendicular to the horizontal path344. As shown, a length of the receiver member 386 is selected so thatits distal end terminates less than half of the width of the brushportion 392 from the bottom-most part of the windshield 122 that iscleaned.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 61 , the telescoping member 384is longer than the receiver member 386, and a proximal end of thetelescoping member 384 extends proximally from a proximal end of thereceiver member 386 at times during cleaning cycle. In additionalembodiments, the receiver member 386 can be longer so that the proximalend of the telescoping member 384 never exits the receiver member 386,and the receiver member thus is rotatably mounted to the rotating mount388 at a point along the length of the receiver member spaced from bothits proximal and distal ends. In still further embodiments, theextension member 382 can employ two or more shorter telescoping membersthat don't extend out of the proximal end of the receiver member 386,and the receiver member 386 is still mounted to the rotating mount 388at or adjacent its proximal end.

With specific reference to FIG. 62 , the brush 392 of the cleaning head390 can comprise opposing brush parts 394, 396 disposed on either sideof an attachment space 396 aligned with the brush attachment 391 so thatthe brush parts 394, 396 can rotate without interfering with the brushattachment 391. The cleaning head 390 can also include a spray bar 316having a wiper 320 and air nozzles 322. In additional variations, thecleaning head can be configured differently, such as similar to cleaninghead 310 as described above, and/or instead of the brush attachment 391splitting the brush 392, the cleaning head can be attached to theextension member 382 via a structure similar to the head mount 367discussed above in connection with FIGS. 56-58 . In still furthervariations, the cleaning head can be attached to the extension member382 at a joint 240 adjacent one end of the cleaning head 390 andconfigured similar to the cleaning head 310 discussed above.

It is to be understood that this and the other variations andembodiments described herein can be controlled and used in connectionwith a spot cleaning system having similarities to that discussed abovein connection with FIGS. 53 and 54 . Also, variations and embodimentsdescribed herein can be expected to incorporate variations of structuresfrom one another, such as any of the cleaning heads as described hereinas well as various configurations of active positioning systems.Further, brush members as disclosed herein can be motorized to rotate,vibrate, or any other desired motion to provide agitation to loosendebris.

The disclosed cleaning devices may be actuated by placing the variousmotors, pumps, and air compressors in electrical communication with anactivation switch on the motor vehicle, preferably inside the vehicle'spassenger compartment and readily accessible by the vehicle's driver.Placement of the activation switch on the vehicle's dashboard isbelieved suitable. By way of example and not limitation, the activationswitch may be an original equipment manufacturer's touch screen mountedto the vehicle such as a dashboard mounted touch screen. The activationswitch may be an icon on the touch screen preset to perform one or moreback and forth cleaning passes of the cleaning device when the icon istouched, or may be adjustable to specify more than one reciprocal, backand forth pass of the cleaning device. The icon may be representative ofa windshield washer (e.g., pictorially or textually). The activationswitch may be preset to allow from one to four cleaning passes. As usedherein, one full cleaning pass advantageously includes one reciprocalpass back and forth across a section of the windshield. By placingappropriate sensors along any portions of the disclosed tracks, frames,windshield, or housings, cleaning tools may travel less than completelyacross the windshield 22 and may thus perform a partial cleaning passover a preselected partial portion of the windshield. Such partialcleaning passes preferably include the side portion of the windshield 22in which the cleaning tool is stored when not in use, with the cleaningdevice reversing direction before completing a washing passage. A touchscreen with variable number inputs or a rotary switch with variouscycles hardwired to the switch, are believed suitable to vary the numberof whole or partial passes.

The activation switch may be in electrical communication with a computeror electronic circuit that controls the cleaning device.

In lieu of the dashboard mounted touch screen, it is also contemplatedthat the activation switch may be an application placed in a computerstorage of a smartphone or other portable, handheld device. Thesmartphone may be disposed on a designated area on the dashboard of thevehicle. When it is placed on the designated area, the application maybe launched either through recognition of a Bluetooth connection or someother mechanical or electronic sensor. The software application whenlaunched may be used to cause the cell phone or device to emit a signalto the vehicle's computer or electronic circuit that controls thecleaning device. The vehicle's computer or electronic circuit thatcontrols the cleaning device may detect the signal and operate oractivate the cleaning device. The communication link between thesmartphone and the vehicle computer or electronic circuit may be byBluetooth, WiFi, optical or signal currently known in the art ordeveloped in the future. The designated area for the smartphone may be areceptacle in the dashboard of the vehicle to make the smartphone'stouch screen easily visible to the driver and easy to touch by thedriver.

Alternatively, when smartphone is not in the cabin of the vehicle. Thesmartphone can establish a communication link with the vehicle'scomputer or electronic circuit which controls the window cleaner. By wayof example and not limitation, the application on the smartphone can belaunched. When it is launched, it can search for a communication linkwith the paired vehicle's communication device. The vehicle'scommunication device can be always on so that it will establishcommunication with the smartphone when the application on the smartphoneis launched or active. In this regard, when the user is outside of thevehicle, the user can operate the windshield/window cleaner to clean thewindshield. The distance may be limited by the communication link (e.g.,Bluetooth). Advantageously, the vehicle's computer, processor, etc. andthe vehicle's receiver and/or sensor are in electrical communicationwith a battery of the motor vehicle so that the cleaning system may beactuated even when the vehicle engine is not running.

While described for use with a bus or RV, the method and apparatus maybe used with other windshields and other surfaces. Disclosed cleaningdevices may replace the normal windshield wipers on the motor vehicles,or may be used in addition to the vehicle's standard windshield wipers,although not at the same time as the cleaning device would hit thestandard windshield wipers.

In the original equipment manufacturer's touch screen mounted to thevehicle and the smartphone application embodiments discussed above, thetouch screen and the smart phone may also be control other aspects ofthe windshield cleaner 120. By way of example and not limitation, touchscreen and the smartphone application can be programmed and linked tothe vehicle so as to heat the water with the heater either through adedicated heater which is a part of the windshield cleaner or a heatexchanger which works with the engine to provide heat for the water. Inthis regard, the user can use the smartphone and its correspondingapplication to control the windshield cleaner (e.g., turn on engine,turn on windshield cleaner only, etc.) to provide heated mixture ofwater and soap to the windshield for the purpose of defrosting thewindshield without having to enter the vehicle. The user can operate thewindshield cleaner from inside the comfort of a building where acommunication link that can be established between the smartphone andthe vehicle computer.

The various aspects of the smartphone discussed herein which controlsthe windshield cleaning system may be employed in any of the aspectsdescribe herein. By way of example and not limitation, a softwareapplication may be downloaded on the smartphone. The softwareapplication may communication with the onboard computer or anotherancillary computer on the automobile which controls the windshieldcleaning system or a different function of the automobile. Moreover, thevarious aspects of the windshield cleaning system discussed herein maybe controlled by voice activation. The voice activation may be throughthe smartphone which as discussed herein controls the windshieldcleaning system. Alternatively or additionally, the voice activation maybe through the automobile's onboard computer. For example, thesmartphone or automobile may have a microphone which receives speechcommands of the user. The smartphone or the onboard computer of theautomobile may receive the speech commands and operate all aspectsdiscussed herein.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the inventiondisclosed herein, including various ways of attaching the bristles 62 toa base of the cleaning head and various ways of attaching wiper blade156 to spray bar 156. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the artcould also devise variations on the disclosed ways to configure thetracks 136, 138 to engage the carriers 132, 134 and to move the carriers132, 134 along their respective tracks 136, 138, and various ways toconfigure and rotate the spray bar 156. Further, the various features ofthe embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varyingcombinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to thespecific combination described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of cleaning a window of an automobile,comprising: opening a cover to expose a storage cavity defined in or onthe automobile; deploying a cleaning device from the storage cavity, thecleaning device comprising an active positioning system supporting acleaning head; the active positioning system comprising a firstextension member supported by a base, a second extension membersupported by and movable relative to the first extension member, and ahead joint supported by the second extension member and supporting thecleaning head; moving the first extension member and second extensionmember relative to one another so as to place the cleaning head againsta surface of a window at a start position; activating a motorized brushof the cleaning head to agitate against the surface of the window;moving the first extension member and second extension member relativeto one another so as to move the motorized brush from the start positionover the surface of the window along a first path while the motorizedbrush is activated; moving the first extension member and secondextension member relative to one another so as to move the cleaning headback to the start position, and moving the cleaning head relative to thesecond extension member so as to place a wiper blade of the cleaninghead against the surface of the window at the start position; and movingthe first extension member and second extension member relative to oneanother so as to move the wiper blade from the start position over thesurface of the window along the first path while moving the cleaninghead relative to the second extension member so as to maintain the wiperblade at a desired orientation relative to the first path.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the desired orientation of the wiper blade isgenerally perpendicular to the first path.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the second extension member articulates relative to the firstextension member.
 4. The method of claim 3, additionally comprisingrotating the first extension member about its axis so as to press thecleaning head against the window.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecond extension member telescopes relative to the first extensionmember so as to adjust an overall length of the active positioningsystem.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the base is configured torotate about an axis generally perpendicular to an axis of the firstextension member.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of thefirst extension member and second extension member comprises telescopingportions, and moving the telescoping portions to adjust a length of thecorresponding one of the first extension member and second extensionmember.
 8. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising an elongatedtrack, and comprising moving the base linearly along the track whilemoving the first extension member relative to the second extensionmember.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the track remains within thestorage cavity when the first extension member, second extension member,and cleaning head are deployed out of the storage cavity.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein opposing ends of the track are mounted on structuralmembers of the automobile.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein thestorage cavity is enclosed within a casing defined by opposing endwalls, a top wall, a bottom wall, a back wall and the cover, and whereinopposing ends of the track are mounted to the opposing end walls, andfurther wherein the casing is removably attached to the automobile. 12.The method of claim 8, wherein the track extends along substantially anentire width of the window.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the trackextends only about halfway or less of a width of the window.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, additionally comprising moving the first extensionmember, second extension member, base and head joint relative to oneanother so as to return the cleaning device to be fully contained withinthe storage cavity, and closing the cover.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the storage cavity is defined below the hood of the automobile,and the cover sits flush with the hood when the cover is closed.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein a cover hinge is disposed on a side of thecover opposite the windshield, and wherein opening the cover comprisesrotating the cover about the cover hinge no more than about 75 degrees.17. The method of claim 1, wherein the window is a windshield of theautomobile, and comprising a camera within the automobile capturing animage of the windshield showing debris on the windshield, displaying theimage on a touch-screen display within the automobile cabin, a computermapping locations on the touch-screen display to locations on awindshield of the automobile, receiving a selected location input viathe touch-screen display and correlating the selected location input toa selected windshield location, and defining the start point spaced fromthe selected windshield location but with the selected windshieldlocation disposed within the first path.